Here’s the latest dispatch from the crossroads of faith and media:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PFSqf0GUwtg&feature=youtu.be<\/p>\n
Compelling and inspirational biographical documentary Hesburgh<\/em> hits theaters nationwide this weekend (Friday, May 3). <\/strong>I just\u00a0 had the opportunity to view the film and I have to say I was blown away. A highly-recommended portrait of a kind of bridge-building leader the country could use today.<\/strong> A native of Syracuse, New York Fr. Theodore Hesburgh received numerous honors and awards during his lifetime, including the United States’\u00a0Presidential Medal of Freedom\u00a0(1964) and\u00a0Congressional Gold Medal\u00a0(2000). He is best remembered for his consequential leadership of Notre Dame University during some very tumultuous times. He\u00a0 was a stalwart supporter of human rights and free speech – even when the latter sometimes put him at odds with Vatican conservatives. The documentary itself is informative and moves along crisply, suggesting that some enterprising filmmaker should attempt a dramatic rendering of his story. Here is the official synopsis of the film:<\/strong> Amidst some of the most tumultuous times in our nation\u2019s history, one unlikely figure finds himself in the eye of the storm as he works to advance the causes of peace and equal rights for all people. He is Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C, longtime president of the University of Notre Dame. Hesburgh offers a unique glimpse at more than fifty years of American history. Educator, civil rights champion, advisor to presidents, envoy to popes, theologian and activist, Hesburgh was called on by countless world leaders to tackle the most challenging issues of the day. He built a reputation as a savvy political operator with a penchant for bridging the divide between bitter enemies. Through it all, he remained a man armed with a fierce intelligence, a quick wit and an unyielding moral compass \u2014 a timeless example of bipartisan leadership that would serve us well in today\u2019s increasingly polarized times.<\/em><\/p>\n
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