ND students: Keep Obama invitation, withdraw honorary degree

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Comments: 27

Photo Credit: Michael A. Uebbing

South Bend, Ind., Apr 6, 2009 / 05:36 pm (CNA).- A protest by about 150 Notre Dame students occupied the area in front of the university's administration building on Sunday afternoon as they objected to the invitation of President Obama to speak at the university's commencement. The students said that refusing to honor Obama with a doctor of laws degree would be an acceptable compromise.

The Palm Sunday rally outside the famous building crowned by the iconic golden statue of the Virgin Mary was organized by ND Response, a coalition of student groups formed to offer a coordinated response from student organizations to the Obama invitation.

Organizers gave white carnations and pamphlets to the crowd as well as urging people to write letters to university's president, Fr. John Jenkins, asking that the honorary degree be withdrawn.

Emily Toates, a senior who is vice president of Notre Dame Right to Life, explained that following the stance of some Catholic bishops, "ND Response" was no longer calling for Fr. Jenkins to withdraw the invitation for Obama to speak at the May 17 graduation ceremony.

"Our big goal is to bring awareness that we are not OK with this," Toates said. "Our big goal is for Father Jenkins to rescind the honorary doctorate of laws degree because [Obama] goes so counter to the principles of the Catholic Church," she added.

ND Response chairman Chris Labadie called the decision honor Obama a "dark day" for the university.

The main speaker at Sunday's rally was pro-life attorney Harold Cassidy.

Cassidy argued that, "It is with the profoundly misguided assumption that abortion does not negatively impact the liberty, rights, interests, and health of women that we have taken issue.”

"Abortion is anti-women precisely because it is an institution that destroys their rights, their interests, and their health."

Following the rally, the students held a procession to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes for prayer.

Comments: 27

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Lynn Sweet
Tuscaloosa, AL USA 05/16/2009 11:54 AM EST

Graduating seniors who choose to attend the ceremony should:
1) stand and turn their back to the President when he speaks (a visual "shunning" of the man who is using our tax dollars to fund abortion)
2) when they walk across the stage to pick up their diploma, NOT shake the hand of either Presidents (USA or Notre Dame)
3) return all alumni mailing with a message that they will join the organization when the President of the university (who ordered the jailing of a Catholic priest for protesting against abortion on the campus) is forced to resign. This Notre Dame President (a Jesuit!!!) is guilty of the sin of pride and ignoring the Magisterium-the authority of the Bishops who have asked that speakers who are opposed to Catholic teachings should not be given honorary degrees or be given a forum for expressing their views opposed to the teachings of the Catholic church).

Published by: Charles Risch
Fort Myers Florida USA 04/26/2009 07:29 PM EST

The newspapers state precedent for Notre Dame to invite new presidents to commencement. Would a Catholic university in Germany have invited the newly elected Hitler if they knew his intention was to murder several million people? Abortion has already has killed over 50 million? It appears that ND sold out righteousness in favor of recognition for the university and its administration. ND should do what is right and withdraw the invitation.

Published by: maureen
CT 04/16/2009 12:23 PM EST

Steve,
Let's remember that a baby being aborted has done nothing to warrant a punishment of murder while a terrorist being tortured chose to act in a way that elicited the punishment. As members of a society, we have a duty to protect the innocent and vulnerable.

Published by: Jimmy Martello
Metairie LA USA 04/11/2009 06:44 PM EST

Another example of how the smoke of Satan has entered the Sanctuary. I'm so ashamed of Notre Dame.

Published by: burke cueny
Lake Orion, Michc 04/10/2009 12:12 PM EST

Accepting, honoring and promoting
a pro-abortionist, is anti-catholic:period.Parents
sending their 4.0 hi grad to ND@ $50,000/yr for a CATHOLIC
education, there is a joke!!

Published by: William Dotterweich
Fort Wayne, Indiana 04/10/2009 09:51 AM EST

So Dennis Brown says the University gives an honorary degree to all commencement speakers. This devalues an honorary degree from Notre Dame to the level of a pen set or some other such bauble.

Published by: Mary
NJ 04/10/2009 09:08 AM EST

Notre Dame should follow the example of Villanova in 1999. The commencement speaker was to be Anna Quinlan; one week prior to graduation, protests arose concerning her pro-abortion views and she was immediately cancelled. The valedictorian spoke in her place. Each year the President speaks at one of the four service academies. These institutions and their dedicated military graduates have no choice but to listen to him. Notre Dame has a choice!

Published by: Joe Faust
Los Angeles, CA, USA 04/08/2009 04:31 PM EST

Rescind or lose the Life of the the university.

Published by: Dan
Prior Lake,MN 04/08/2009 10:52 AM EST

Obama must not receive any honorary degree from any Catholic institution. He is in no way pro-life - not in any form. If Fr.Jenkins does not submit to the will of God...and dis-invite the pro-death president...have the president speak somewhere OFF THE ND CAMPUS. Set up a large screen at the commencement for the students...and set up the podium in the building "across the street" or have him speak from the White House.

Published by: Mary Dudley
West Bloomfield, MI USA 04/07/2009 10:18 PM EST

I strongly disagree with any sort of compromise. I agree with Bp Alexander Sample, Archbp John Nienstadt and several other bishops who have called on ND to rescind the invitation. Obama's support of abortion discredits him on all other issues. Graduates deserve to hear a credible speaker. ND needs to repent of this scandal. We need to pray for mercy, work for change in leadership and pray for conversion of Obama's soul.

Published by: bradley
elk., indiana USA 04/07/2009 06:51 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Fr. Jenkins should be reprimanded by the Catholic Church. He is in direct violation of a Bishops Directive from several years ago; not to bestow an honor or to recognize an individual who is direct conflict with the church's teachings. Additionally, if he isn't disciplined, what message does this send from any Bishop, Cardinal and/or Pope of the Catholic Church. It's time the Catholic Church says, "enough is enough". Apparently the University of Notre Dame will now be known as a place of cafeteria catholicism, until or unless someone in the Catholic Hierarchy does something. The golden dome will forever be tarnished by this invitation.

Published by: MaryTN
Nashville 04/07/2009 06:47 PM EST

I am proud of the ND students for their handling of this situation. Their actions reflect their education, including offering a compromise to settle the issue.

Well done.

Published by: lee bui
hurst texas 04/07/2009 03:10 PM EST

From the begining,US is the promised land for all people.They came for freedom,democracy,and for Life.Today,some body is doing things against the Life by promoting abortion. They do not deserve honoring at ND campus.

Published by: Michael Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 04/07/2009 02:19 PM EST

This is the best course of action from this point forward. Like Cardinal George said, "You can't uninvite the President."

Notre Dame lost the moment Jenkins sent the invitation. However, not giving him the honorary degree is still a pie in the face to "Obabble".

Yes, giving him the commencement address is still an honor, but if he doesn't receive the degree, it will almost make up for the original scandal. Also, it will show that grassroots Catholicism at ND weilds some strength.

We should have a contest for who can design the best "Certificate of Appreciation" to take the place of the Doctorate of Laws Degree. Sounds like a job for the "Curt Jester"

Published by: Steve J
Cleveland Ohio 04/07/2009 01:59 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Wow!
One percent of Notre Dame students oppose Obama. Sounds to me like a majority!
Please, no one likes abortion. Where were these students when the former administration was starting a war, or executing criminals or torturing people? Why wasn't the CNA covering that? Oh, because the former administration is against abortion. C'mon guys, you need better reasons to oppose the first term President that ND has invited and has always invited to speak.

Published by: Jan Pitzl
Eden, SD USA 04/07/2009 12:40 PM EST

Hi: I do not think Obama can speak in any way. His position on abortion is so horrific as he believes that a baby that survives a botched abortion should die by not receiving medidcal attention or sustenance. This is extreme and unamerican and certainly against the Catholic Church's teaching.

Stand up, quit dilluting your ideals, otherwise we will become just another waffling country as Europe.

Have morals and stand up for them.

Jan

Published by: Diane Freeby
South Bend, Indiana 04/07/2009 12:16 PM EST

I was at the prayer rally, and they announced attendance at about 400. There were definitely more than 150 in attendance, and 400 is probably accurate.

Published by: John J. Gallaher
Cibolo, Tx USA 04/07/2009 11:20 AM EST

God is the author of life. Satan is the author of sin & death. Whose disciple will be speaking at Notre Dame?
God please foregive us.

Published by: Jeffrey Kaplan
Kansas City 04/07/2009 11:17 AM EST

I also am very disappointed about the honorary degree and agree it should be withdrawn. I'm praying for Father Jenkins to do the right thing. Debate is one thing honoring someone who supports infanticide is another.

Published by: Mary Bliss
Downers Grove, IL, USA 04/07/2009 10:51 AM EST

Thank the good Lord for the good Catholic students of Notre Dame!
Their actions Sunday were very gratifying to long-time pro-lifers like myself.
I wonder, however, if it isn't time to remove the "Catholic" label from ND or any other university that goes against its Catholic principles.

Published by: Amy S.
Gretna, LA, USA 04/07/2009 09:44 AM EST

An honorary law degree!? Tell me, what legistlature has Pres. Obama fought for, passed through, or rebuked that makes him deserving of an honorary law degree from Our Lady?

Published by: Sandy Garcia
Austin,TX, USA 04/06/2009 10:54 PM EST

I wished I could have been present at the prayer rally. My prayers are with you. Thank you ND Response for organizing this.

Published by: Carol Runger
Scottsdale, AZ 04/06/2009 10:37 PM EST

I urge ND to not honor President Obama.
Please protect your Catholic identity..

Published by: Scott
South Bend 04/06/2009 09:52 PM EST

You gave up too easily. Obabble has no place speaking at ND-or any Catholic university.

Published by: ssphillips
Union City, CA USA 04/06/2009 07:46 PM EST

Rate: Good

"Since 1973, a plague has ravished our country. It's not AIDS, Ebola, or the Black Death. It's something far worse. It kills bodies and unborn souls. Now this plague has reached the gates of Notre Dame. It's been invited inside by those who shouldn't have let it," Labadie said.
The Plague has been here far longer than stated above. Born and raised within the Catholics church, more and more I find that the Plague is Ignorance, intolerance and Prejudice. Some christians our leaders have turned out to be. Information, Education and Positive reinforcement of our children will keep them away from such experiences. But taking away the rights of others who feel differently, killing men and women that help others is not the way to show our children a better future. Your just walking them back to the dark ages. The older I grow the more I understand what I am seeing. Teach love, tolerance and your foe will may see your way much clearer and sooner than he will by persecution. Love Thy Neighbor - Turn the other cheek? Are you still teaching that to your children? Christ said something to the effect To love your enemy is the way to heaven.

Published by: Dolys Gelke
Indianapolis.Indiana.USA 04/06/2009 06:51 PM EST

Right on Students. I am so proud of you.You are what our country will and should be.Thank You!

Published by: Paul Roberts
Chandler, TX, USA 04/06/2009 06:27 PM EST

Compromise?

Did someone say "Compromise"?

Does our Almighty G-d make compromises on His Commandments for us???

The Word of G-d is NOT open to "compromise" or debate.

If you are going to be a bear...be a grizzly.

If you are going to be a Catholic...be true to your Church and your G-d.

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