Not in His Footsteps

No one is likely to confuse the Rev. John Jenkins with Theodore Hesburgh. Jenkins may be the president of the University of Notre Dame, as Hesburgh was, but he’s no Hesburgh. That would require leadership. The most charitable thing that could be said about Father Jenkins is that COVID-19 has him spooked. Jenkins rushed the opening of the school back in August and got caught not wearing a mask. Then, he went to the White House for the introduction of Notre Dame professor Amy Coney Barret as President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Again, no mask, and this time Jenkins tested positive for the virus. But wait, there’s more. Because football rules over everything and everyone in and around South Bend, some 11,000 fans were on hand to watch Notre Dame beat Clemson 47-40 in double overtime. People stormed the field as soon as the game ended. Later, there were parties. Who knew? Now, the university is doing damage control, basically requiring the entire student body to take COVID tests before taking off for Thanksgiving break. That’s called closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out. I doubt Father Hesburgh would’ve been so careless.