South Bend, Ind., May 18, 2009 / 10:31 am
After previous Laetare Medal winner Judge John T. Noonan concluded his remarks at commencement, a provost of the University informed the crowd they were witnessing something historic: this was the first time a past Laetare Medal winner had been invited back to speak at commencement. What the Provost failed to mention, however, was the reason for Judge Noonan’s invitation: for the first time the Laetare Medal was declined by its intended recipient because of the University’s decision to honor President Obama.
Dr. Mary Ann Glendon was chosen by the University to receive what many consider to be the most prestigious award for an American Catholic. Presented by Notre Dame since 1883, the Laetare Medal honors individuals "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church, and enriched the heritage of humanity." As a Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican for the past two years, there is not a more suitable candidate for this award than Mary Ann Glendon.
Ironically, the woman whom Notre Dame chose as the exemplar Catholic declined the award for exemplary Catholicism because of the University’s short-comings in Catholicism.
In her letter to Father Jenkins on April 27, 2009, Glendon declined the honor. After learning that President Barrack Obama’s would give the commencement speech and receive an honorary degree at the same ceremony, Glendon explained that her role as the Laetare Medal speaker "has been complicated by a number of factors."