Thumbing Collective Nose?

I thought this CitizenLink was interesting. The brief article sounds as if all of Rome is upset.

There’s a clear contradiction between his policies and that which a Catholic institution is presumably bound to promote.'

President Barack Obama will be the principal speaker and the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement May 17.

Longtime Notre Dame philosophy professor Ralph McInerny called it "a deliberate thumbing of the collective nose at the Roman Catholic Church to which Notre Dame purports to be faithful."

Yet I have to ask, "What is the big deal?" I don't see Rome excommunicating church members such Nancy Pelosi. She has actual political power. Notre Dame is a school, not a church or government institution. Perhaps Rome will act in an appropriate manner towards Notre Dame. I highly doubt it though. These guys may speak tough all they want. Until Rome does something about it, nothing is going to change.

In my opinion, Rome is hardly getting snubbed.