Posted on 03/27/2009 9:27:07 AM PDT by Man50D
NOTRE DAME, IN, 25 March 2009 — A number of student groups at the University of Notre Dame issued a statement today repudiating the University’s selection of President Barack Obama to deliver its 2009 Commencement Address. The statement criticizes the president’s position on abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and other life issues, and chastises University administration for apparently looking over what they termed "fundamental moral principles."
The statement responds to Friday afternoon’s announcement of Obama as the speaker for the University’s 164th Commencement. Citing Catholic teaching on abortion, as well as the US Bishops’ 2004 document "Catholics in Political Life," which deals with issues surrounding a Catholic response to politicians who advocate abortion, the student statement expresses “deepest opposition” to the decision. "This is not a partisan issue; rather, it’s an issue of respect for human life, and our Catholic character. We want to emphasize that we are not attacking the office of the President, but taking issue with his moral stances. I think the statement makes it clear that the student body of Notre Dame is not unequivocally in favor of this decision,” said senior Emily Toates of Notre Dame Right to Life.
An Ad Hoc committee sponsored by a coalition of University-sponsored student groups has been organized to lead student response. These groups include Notre Dame Right to Life, Jus Vitae (Notre Dame Law School Right to Life), the Irish Rover independent student newspaper, Notre Dame College Republicans, The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society, The Identity Project of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Knights of the Immaculata, Notre Dame Children of Mary, the Orestes Brownson Council, and the Notre Dame Law St. Thomas More Society. STUDENT COALITION STATEMENT ON THE 2009 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame’s principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.
The University’s decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, “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.” Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President’s views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our “fundamental moral principles” must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama’s actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications. Leadership that puts the lives of the most innocent at risk is leadership we must disdain. In the face of President Obama’s actions, Father Jenkins’ words ring hollow.
It is a great irony that the University has chosen to award President Obama an honorary law degree. As the oldest Catholic law school in the country, the Notre Dame Law School states that its mission is “to facilitate greater understanding of and commitment to the relationship between law and social justice.” The social justice issue of our day is the deliberate, legal attack on the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn. To award a Notre Dame law degree to a lawyer and politician who has used the law to deny equality to the unborn diminishes the value of the degree itself.
Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they should attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful.
In response to the University’s decision, we pledge ourselves to acts of witness that will be characterized by respect, prayerfulness, outspoken fidelity to the Church, and true concern for the good of our University. It is appropriate that only members of the Notre Dame community lead all such protests, and we ask outside groups to respect our responsibilities in this regard. Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community. We request any groups who are committed to respectful actions to support our efforts, thereby ensuring a unified front and a more compelling public witness.
In Notre Dame,
Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
This Catholic, Texas A&M Aggie Former Student gives you guys/gals a thumb's up!
TAMU Class of '88
I can just barely see the argument for letting him speak but cannot imagine honoring him with a degree. Most Catholic educators are liberals and can just barely reconsile their religion with their politics. Obama at Notre Dame is disgusting and says more about the state of the Church in the United States than idiot Pelosi’s musings. When you quote the leftist mob at the USCCB in a conservative way, you know you’re in trouble.
“Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they should attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful. “
I would walk out too.
What would Jesus do?
Didn’t Jesus turn down Satan when offered a political kingship?
Would be interesting if no one shows up to the commencement ceremony because of O being there.
Can’t stand the Drunken Brawlers on the football field, but I support them 100% with this.
You have got to be kidding.
What a silly idea.
WOW, maybe there is hope with our youth to save this country yet!
Still a long bitter fight coming though.
The fix to the outrage of a Catholic university offering a forum and an honorary degree to the nation’s premier pro-abortion politician is obvious. Notre Dame is a private institution that lives by donations. Most donors are Catholic and therefore anti-abortion. Uh, DUH!? They should just threaten to dry up their donations if the morons in charge don’t withdraw the invitation. Of course, BO could simply write Notre Dame a Federal check for the difference and a little something for their trouble on the side, but the political fallout over that would not be worth it. Even somebody as stupid as Hussein should be able to see that.
The poor dufus, this is yet another political hot potato that is going to land in the lap and scorch the so-called “president”. Watch for a graceless exit and another blatant attempt to hoodwink us. Like the WH announcing that BO regrets to inform ND that he will not be able to participate because of blah, blah, blah, ____ ________ _____ ____, busy saving us from capitalism / kissing the asses of our enemies / dumping on our friends and allies / picking out the right dog… Or security concerns preclude the President from attending… Now there might be some truth in THAT!
With politically inept friends like those running ND, who needs enemies? It’s yet another example of the brain disconnect of liberals from reality – I think some of them really do believe this guy is universally loved and supported just like their hare-brained feel-good totally disproven policies OUGHT to work and, if given just one more chance, will! They literally cannot imagine a different America.
Really??? If the student body is strongly opposed to The One providing the Commencement address, what would be wrong with their demonstrating their disapproval by not showing up? They will still receive their diplomas whether they attend the commencement or not.
The place will be packed, with maybe a few ACORN volunteers.
“They should just threaten to dry up their donations...”
This worked for William & Mary! Stop the donations!
These are EVIL acts. Anyone with any Catholic education should know that they are evil and shouldn't support that evil with complacency.
Will TOTUS be attending?
At the same time, Jesus did engage Satan. If the University were to change the format slightly to have a ‘debate’ about the issues, then by all means bring him in! The Obama worshiping students may learn something about ‘their man’ as well.
And if Obama changes his ways, give him the honorary degree. He’ll have earned it.
I forgot ending deductions for charity and gay marriage.
Right. He is an evil man who stands for many things
that are patently contrary to Christian and Roman Catholic
teaching.
Now, the idea that everyone would boycott is childish and
the post is silly.
He has a large following in the Roman Catholic community,
having received at least 50% of their vote.
He was invited: would the people who invited him and are
defending him stay home?
It is this kind of foolishness that makes us marginalized.
Like I said is is silly.
Jesus went to the desert to pray and Satan engaged Him. He didn’t invite Satan in to give a speech to His disciples or to be the opener at the Sermon on the Mount.
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