On Sunday, President Barack Hussein Obama delivered the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame, America’s most notable Catholic university. By not only inviting President Obama to speak – as several presidents have been invited – but also presenting him with an honorary degree, Notre Dame violated the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which prohibits giving a platform to or honoring those whose policies violate the teaching of the Church. As a Catholic institution, Notre Dame shares in the mission of the Church, which includes belief in the sanctity of human life. To profess respect for life and honor the most anti-life president in our nation’s history in the same commencement ceremony is duplicitous.
Notre Dame does not speak for the Church. The Bishops do. Over 60 bishops have been joined by tens of thousands of alumni and vast numbers of Catholics in a unified voice declaring the inappropriateness of Notre Dame’s decision.
Notre Dame remains an institution of academic distinction. However, in matters of faith, it has lost its credibility. Notre Dame is out of touch with both Catholicism and mainstream America, at least 51% of which is confidently pro-life according to latest polls. Beginning with Mario Cuomo in 1984, ND has opened its doors to those who fail to defend the sanctity of life.
Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, intended for devout Catholic and former ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, will now be known as the award that Mary Ann Glendon declined because she refused to stand aside President Obama in Notre Dame’s artificial attempt at open-mindedness.
The moment President Obama mounted the dais at the University of Notre Dame is the last moment this great school, named for the Mother of Jesus, will ever speak credibly about matters of faith until the moment it repents.
Father Matthew J. Albright
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