Catholic Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree

By Kathleen Gilbert
3/20/2009
LifeSiteNews (www.lifesitenews.com)

His appearance at the university would appear to violate the USCCB's policy against honoring pro-abortion politicians.

At Notre Dame, the administration there just made a choice. They took a giant step away from their identity as 'Catholic.'

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

NOTRE DAME, Indiana (LifeSiteNews.com) - White House Secretary Robert Gibbs stated today that Obama will give the commencement address at Notre Dame University this year. The school confirmed the announcement, stating on its website that Obama will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University's 164th University Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. May 17 in the Joyce Center on campus.

In 2004, the United States of Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a policy statement called "Catholics in Political Life," which says, with reference to pro-abortion politicians, "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

President Obama has been called the "abortion president" by pro-life activists, and his appearance at the university would appear to violate the USCCB's policy against honoring pro-abortion politicians.

One alumnus from the university has already expressed his displeasure in an open letter sent today to the president of Notre Dame, Rev. John Jenkins.

William Newton, a D.C. area attorney, wrote, "As an alumnus of Notre Dame Law School, I am deeply offended that you would invite President Barack Obama to speak at Commencement this year."

Newton then lists the numerous pro-abortion decisions that Obama has made since assuming the office of the presidency. "This is the person that you feel is worthy to address the students and faculty of Notre Dame, in the shadow of Our Lady atop the Golden Dome, with the spires of the Basilica in the background?" writes Newton.

"Father Sorin must be wringing his hands in heaven, that his successor would approve this disgrace. Shame on Notre Dame for choosing to scandalize the faithful who continue to support the Catholic identity and mission of the University."

Conservative commentator Kathryn Jean Lopez said on The Corner that the arrangement was "shameful."

"Last week the president of the United States perpetrated an assault on human dignity. No statements or press releases will undo what Notre Dame's position in the eyes of the world is in response: 'Doesn't matter,'" wrote Lopez. "We've got THE ONE. So much for the One the school's namesake gave birth to."

"I've been optimistic that the radicalism of this administration on life could be a real catalyst for renewal in many churches. At Notre Dame, the administration there just made a choice. They took a giant step away from their identity as 'Catholic.' They [sic] rather be of this world than the one they supposedly exist to bring people toward."

Notre Dame is among the most prestigious Catholic universities in America. The school's Center for Ethics and Culture recently established a pro-life fund in an effort to bolster Notre Dame's pro-life identity.

To contact Notre Dame:
Phone: (574) 631-5000
email form: http://president.nd.edu/contact-us

Notre Dame Fellows:
Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., President, U. of Portland
(503) 943-7101

Patrick F. McCartan, Senior partner, Jones Day
(216) 586-7272
Email: pmccartan@jonesday.com

William M. Goodyear, CEO, Navigant Consulting
main: (312) 583-5700

list of all Notre Dame Fellows: www.nd.edu/leadership/fellows

To contact the USCCB:

Cardinal Francis George, President
Archdiocese of Chicago
phone: 312-751- 8200
email: mfox@archchicago.org

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Chairman, Committee on Education
Diocese of Worcester
phone: 508-791-7171
committee email: catholiceducation@usccb.org

To contact Notre Dame's bishop:
Bishop John D'Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese
Fort Wayne Chancery
phone: (260) 422-4611

- - -

LifeSiteNews.com is a non-profit Internet service dedicated to issues of culture, life, and family. It was launched in September 1997. LifeSiteNews Daily News reports and information pages are used by numerous organizations and publications, educators, professionals and political, religious and life and family organization leaders and grassroots people across North America and internationally.

Keywords:

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 10 of 72 Comments

Gerald J. St. Germain
4 years ago
The president of Notre Dame University should be relieved of his duties. It is a disgrace that he would invite Oboma after what he has done to promote abortion since he became president. President was not capitalized in both instances because neither deserves any Catholics respect.
jane balfa cormier
4 years ago
1 corinthians chapter 13 verse6 love does not rejoice in what is wrong but with the truth.
the pro abortion groups would never offer a platform to a pro life speaker. they are true to their belief system. they are not lukewarm . would that christians be so loyal and convinced of their belief system and in the one in whom that belief is based on !!! jesus said , who do you say that i am. ? i believe he is the son of the living god!!! if he said it and i disagree, guess who i wrong. who do you say that jesus is? jane cormier in cajun country
Dr. T.
4 years ago
As a catholic hospital physician I feel that all available Catholics should congregate at ND on Sunday the 17th of May and have conscientious priests provide mass on the day of the graduation and allow all family members and graduates to get to the ceremony. The same congregation should peacefully block Obama's arrival to the ceremony. Should Obama get stopped by the protesters they should sing prolife and catholic songs that they feel might inspire Obama.
Should he somehow make it to the ceremony the ND students who object to his positions on Catholic Ideals should turn their back on him at the service and sing Pro-life songs while he tries to give his speech. The coverage should help forward America's religious heritage and refocus Americans on what matters. Our souls.
Greg
4 years ago
Letters and calls should go directly to the Pope asking him to order Jenkins to step down, and or declare Notre Dame no longer a "Catholic" university
Ted Kapp
4 years ago
If this award is given I will be very saddened that such an impressive organization as Nortre Dame University will compromise its position as one of the finest catholic teaching institutions to honor an individual that promulgates the killing of children. A very SAD day for Catholics in the US. I m a product of Catholic grammer schools, high schools and college in the Arcdiocese of Chicago.
Barbara Rice
4 years ago
I myself am LDS (Mormon) but have always held my Catholic brothers and sisters in high regard for their openly public stance on abortion. We each do so because of our personal values, but most importantly as representing God's values.
To suggest that a man's title, not his values, makes him THE appropriate speaker at this event, as the last person whom you hold up as an example while influencing your student's lives directly, is inappropriate on all fronts. "Star power" has no place here. Had I been a parent who had paid for my child's scooling, based largely on the fact that the school they attended was demonstrating the beliefs that my religion holds dear, I would no longer support the school financially. Thankfully there remain strong Catholic voices out there, and I honor all of them who have demonstrated their disapproval.
Carol
4 years ago
I am profoundly saddened at the stand that Notre Dame and it's president have taken to allow such a man as Pres.Obama to speak and to obtain a degree from the university.Perhaps a new reformation may need to occur for the Catholics to see the hypocrisy of their decision.Do as i say and not as i do does not work! How can they expect the graduates to believe and to support the beliefs so relavant to Catholics when the hierarcy provides exceptions when they should be providing EXAMPLES to the youth and to watching good people all over the globe. God help us if our moral leaders bend under pressure of the glitze of the moment.
stella
4 years ago
one can only wonder how this will bolster notre dame's pro-life identity. It's such bad taste and just shows you how ridiculous these clergy are.They are only thinking how prestigious it looks to have this President, irregardless of his Executive orders that make human murder legal.What a shame and I for one will not support a school that goes along with this decision.
dpa
4 years ago
Oh, My GOD!We all just have to pray and leave the rest to the
almighty creator.
Susan
4 years ago
This school should be ashamed to invite any speaker (even a President) with such non-Catholic views to speak at Graduation. It shows how "Non-Catholic" this Nation has become if the people at this University who should say and stand for the are Catholic faith allow this. This does not show commitment to the Catholic faith. This is not an example for our young Catholics.

Prev12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment