The Notre Dame Speech

What was our President's goal at Notre Dame? Certainly not merely to give an inspiring graduation speech, which he could have given at any of the nation's many prestigious non-Catholic universities. I'm quite sure they're not the only ones who've invited him, after all, though they are likely the only ones who did so in flagrant violation of their parent organization's policies. It's clear he's picking a fight with social conservatives, but why like this? Paul Mirengoff's got an explanation that I'm having trouble finding any cracks in:

Obama hopes to drive a wedge between the leaders of the Catholic Church and rank-and-file Catholics in order to substantially reduce Church leaders and their teachings as a moral force in the United States. Such a reduction, in turn, will remove a barrier to Obama's left-wing agenda, especially his left-wing social agenda, just as the steep decline in the authority of Catholic Church paved the way the leftist agenda in certain European countries.

Under these circumstances, it's difficult to blame Obama much for injecting himself into Notre Dame's graduation ceremony. It is entirely reasonable and proper for him to seek to undermine Catholic authority, in furtherance of his interests, through lawful activitiy such as giving a speech and accepting a degree. Nearly all of the blame surely lies with Notre Dame for partnering with Obama in his mission, and thereby violating the command of the U.S. Catholic Bishops not to honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.

Yepp.