In coverage of the commencement controversy, we’ve sure heard a lot about freedom of expression and the importance of allowing those who disagree to voice their views. But only some are allowed to do that, apparently.

I was scanning this Freddoso article in NRO and noticed this:

…And by this action, Notre Dame is saying that we don’t really think that these questions — such as abortion, such as the stem-cell issue — matter that much.”

Even some university administrators sympathized, with a handful of recognizable figures attending ND Response events over the weekend. Few wanted to discuss the issue publicly, however. “It has been made clear that dissenting publicly won’t be tolerated,” said one administrator who requested anonymity.

What? Administrators were muzzled? Threatened? “It has been made clear that dissenting publicly won’t be tolerated”?!

Except for Fr. Jenkins, apparently. Let’s be clear about this:

In 2004, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on “Catholics in Political Life” that declared, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

Jenkins directly defied this. And evidently threatened the administration under him not to try the same. 

“It has been made clear that dissenting publicly won’t be tolerated.” With what consquences for defiance?