ND student groups reject Obama invitation, launch Red Letter campaign

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South Bend, Ind., Mar 26, 2009 / 08:01 pm (CNA).- Notre Dame’s invitation to President Barack Obama is "in opposition to what lies at the foundation of this University," says ND Response, a consortium of 11 different student groups.

According to a statement released by the group yesterday, its members received word of the commencement speech invitation to President Obama with "deepest opposition."

ND Response, which includes groups as diverse as Notre Dame Law’s St Thomas More Society and Notre Dame’s Right to Life group, claimed opposition based upon "President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages" further saying that Obama’s early pro-abortion decisions will "directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings."

ND Response spokesman, Chris Labadie, a senior majoring in theology, told CNA on Thursday that the group was inundated with emails and calls over the weekend seeking some type of response. Instead of answering requests individually, the leaders of the 11 groups came together to create a unified response.

This morning, former America Magazine Editor Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J. launched an op-ed in the Washington Post supporting Notre Dame’s decision and rebuffing groups like ND Response saying, "Controversy over commencement speakers at Catholic universities pops up every spring along with the tulips."

Reese’s argument was presented in five bullet points:

In his personal life, Obama has never acted in defiance of the fundamental moral principle that abortion is wrong.
Publicly, Obama has never spoken out against the fundamental moral principle that abortion is wrong.
He supports legal restrictions on third trimester abortions with a health-of-the-mother exemption.
Although he does not believe that other abortions can be made illegal, he supports programs to reduce the number of abortions.
Notre Dame is not honoring Obama because of his views on abortion but because he is President of the United States, as has been made clear by the Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president.

Replying to critics like Reese, ND Response acknowledged that "some of President Obama’s policies and programs may have an effect" on reducing abortions, but that other policies have a "direct effect" on destroying life.

Both Reese and Jenkins claim Obama can be honored because he is the President and not because of his stance on abortion, but ND Response offered a pointed rebuke:

"University President, Fr. John Jenkins C.S.C. has indicated in his statements that this honor is being given to President Obama because of his leadership role. By honoring the President with a Doctor of Laws degree honoris causa, Fr. Jenkins is honoring his work with the law. We feel this means we would honor the policies that President Obama has advocated for as a lawyer and Senator as well as put into action as President. If his policies are inconsistent with the core values and tenets of a Catholic institution then we feel this is an inappropriate use of the honoris causa degree."

At the conclusion of his article, Reese recited the rationale frequently invoked for inviting speakers who dissent from Church teachings to give a speech. "If Catholic universities are afraid to have people on campus who challenge our views, then we are not training students to listen and think critically. We are admitting that our arguments are not convincing," Reese wrote.

ND Response disagrees with Reese, saying that a "commencement address is not the correct arena for an intellectual debate" since students "will not be able to engage the President in an intellectual setting."

The consortium of student groups is planning to express their opposition by launching a Red Letter campaign, in which empty letters representing a child who was murdered through abortion are given to President Obama on commencement day. ND Response has formally asked Jenkins to deliver the empty Red Letters to Obama, but no response from the University had been received as of Thursday afternoon.

Chris Labadie told CNA that the groups’ message to the university and President Obama is: "We recognize the great honor it is that the President of the United States is coming to our university. But we must stand firm in our convictions as Catholics, there is a substantial amount of students and faculty who strongly support the Catholic mission and identity of the University, who believe in it and who believe that it is still worth fighting for. ND Response is working with many internal groups in order to present a unified front; at the same time we are open to collaboration or cooperation with concerned external groups."

Comments: 45

Subscriber comments:

Published by: cindy baker
whitleyville,tennessee,united states of america 04/14/2009 05:51 PM EST

father jenkins, i'm very much against obama speaking at the upcoming commencement at graduation. obama should mean what he says an not be wishy washy!

Published by: Don
Dover, OH, USA 04/10/2009 07:39 PM EST

Fr. Jenkins, Fr. Reese, and a number of subscriber comments have parroted the "open dialogue" argument that President Obama has used so often before and after the election. We all know what "dialogue" will take place on or around May 17th: Fr. Jenkins pleads his case, Mr. Obama agrees it is a worthy cause, they take some photos, and Mr. Obama walks away with an ND honorary degree. And nothing will change. Mr. Obama has promised too loudly and for too long to too many people that he is pro-abortion.

Published by: Alan Wirth
Mesa,Az. Usa 04/10/2009 08:58 AM EST

Thank you students that stand faithfully for the unborn. You are a testimony to the rest of us that there is hope in our young people. I have always held N.D. in the highest regard of academic institutions and would have been incredibly proud of any of my 6 children to attend there. Now however I would not even consider N.D. because of the fraud they have become.We will pray for you to stay strong and fight the good fight .Love you.

Published by: Steven J
Cleveland Ohio 04/09/2009 10:03 AM EST

Thank God we have the Jesuits, people with some reason!
Listen to yourselves people! Let ye without sin cast the first stone....

Again, it takes way to long to publish these opinions so I question this websites ability to speak to every Catholic or Christian and allows other views to be heard in a timely manner.

Published by: Raissa
St. Albans, n. y. 04/09/2009 01:38 AM EST

Wait a second, these priests are against abortion but most of their churches are supporting gay marriage? WHICH IS WORST SIN??

Published by: A Parent
Falls Church, VA, USA 04/08/2009 11:47 AM EST

As John F. Kennedy said in his address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in 1960: "For while this year it may be a Catholic against whom the finger of suspicion is pointed, in other years it has been, and may someday be again, a Jew—or a Quaker—or a Unitarian—or a Baptist … Today I may be the victim—but tomorrow it may be you—until the whole fabric of our harmonious society is ripped." If the people that want President Obama banned from Notre Dame had been this vocal in 1960, Kennedy never would have been elected President.

Published by: Victor M. Cordero
Tarboro, NC 27886 04/06/2009 09:52 PM EST

I’m not a Notre Dame Graduate or Alumni. I have a post graduate degree. With that being said, I thank Catholics for standing up. I've been disillusioned by the past incidents with priests and lay persons commenting the acts that have been in the news in the past and left the church altogether but may return after some moral self searching. With that also being stated, I wanted to thank my Holy Father for all of you taking a stand for our beliefs. From a regeneraized Catholic. God Bless!!!!

Published by: Belabean
Naperville IL USA 04/06/2009 09:38 PM EST

After seeing the NDResponse representatives on Greta VanSustren and reading these many good comments I am relieved that there are many who feel as I do about the invitation to President Obama. I pray that these efforts will succeed in positive changes that are so obviously needed.

Published by: DELIA MILLANES QUINAIN
CHICAGO 04/05/2009 03:40 PM EST

Now, I erased ND as a potential university for my HS sophomore son. I might as well send him to a very secular, liberal university, rather than a catholic one.

Published by: Edna Montemayor
Chicago, Illinois USA 04/04/2009 04:27 AM EST

Mr. Jenkins has simply revealed that underneath his cloak of dissembling, masquerading as a catholic; he despises the faith; has NO convictions in the moral teachings of the church and does NOT care what effect his actions may cause on young catholics studying at the University. This person, masquerading as a a priest and a catholic has finally revealed his true colors.....

Published by: Mike
Denver, CO 04/01/2009 09:44 PM EST

What a sad day. I grew up in the Midwest, visiting ND often and idolizing the institution. While I didn't attend, I hoped my children would. Well, now they are 4.0 students, explaining to me why they wouldn't ever consider attending ND - they want to attend an authentic Catholic university. I am ashamed that I ever supported this school. I am proud of the young people (my kids and ND students) protesting this travesty. God bless your efforts and witness.

Published by: Debbie Furtado
New Bedford, Ma. U.S.A. 04/01/2009 04:24 PM EST

Thank you Notre Dame Students!! I pray for each and every one of you every day. As I pray the Rosary with Catholic TV, I'm reminded how Our Lady is so proud of her students. God Bless you all.

Published by: Scott
Littleton, CO 04/01/2009 09:58 AM EST

I am also outraged by the Univesity's choice of Obama as the speaker at the commencement. This is just one more piece of evidence that suggests that my University is distancing itself from its Catholic tradition and primary mission.

On the East side of the Sacred Heart basilica on campus at ND is a sculpture that proclaims "In memory of the innocent victims of abortion" and was erected by the ND Knights of Columbus. I wonder if the University will have to put a cover over this statue for Obama's visit so as not to offend him.

Why doesn't Fr. Jenkins also invite the Reverend Wright, Obama's pastor, to the University to give one of his fiery speeches at the grotto as a pre-commencement rally?

Since the University is not withdrawing their invitation, the graduating seniors and post graduate candidates who object to this selection can show their support for their Catholic values by not attending the ceremony and attending the protest instead.

Published by: Laverne
Slaton, TX, USA 03/31/2009 05:26 PM EST

If I were in the area I would be one of the many putting crosses on the campus representing the unborn ripped from life. There is no way Obama is innocent in this! Thank you ND students for taking action for those of us who can't physically be there to help you

Published by: Mike Mattson
Waxhaw/NC/USA 03/30/2009 12:35 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Father Reese's moral relativist arguments are those of a lawyer utilizing loopholes, and semantics to escape the consequences of Obama's decisions and past votes. Father Reese writes like a Chicago criminal lawyer producing smoke and mirrors to confuse a jury and secure an acquittal for a criminal defendant, not a Catholic priest. It's self-serving mental gymnastics like this that cloud the issues of right and wrong for so many of our confused Catholics in 21st century America. The standard is "Thou Sall Not Kill". As a politician, what actions by Obama have either facilitated or denied killing human babies? How hard is that question?

Published by: anon
anon 03/30/2009 12:21 PM EST

Fr. Thomas Reese is either ignorant of the fact that the 'maternal health' loophole (Doe v Bolton) allows third trimester abortions for 'financial health', 'relationship health', 'career plan' health', 'whatever health'... or he is just another dishonest pro-abort.

Published by: Laurie Poirier
St. Clair Shores,Mi USA 03/30/2009 10:19 AM EST

My husband and I lived in ND married student housing while he studied law at ND. After he graduated we have come to ND annually to enjoy our Catholic Heritage and pray at the Grotto and also visit the Basilica where our first born was baptized. We are trying to raise our children Catholic. What message are we giving our young impressionable children and young adults with this scandal? Will ND ever be able to hold it's head high again? What an embarresment to the world. We support your opposition and will do anything to oppose this. We will come down on Graduation day and pray rosaries on campus. We also recommend the neighboring community and the University to have the crosses planted that represent aborted babies so far. We will send money to fund this endeavor. Wow, It the whole university looked like a grave yard. How impressive would that be for Obama to see?!!! God bless and we will keep reading the progress of your efforts. Thanks a lot.

Published by: altapres
canada 03/30/2009 10:15 AM EST

Jesuits are always liberal in their ideas regarding the teachings of the Catholic Church, no wonder Fr.Reese gets cozy with Obama

Published by: George Hewson
Telluride/CO/USA 03/30/2009 09:35 AM EST

A President should be honored AFTER he has served awhile, not as an inexperienced man in his first six months. Secondly, what the law degree confers is an honor for work with the law which is inappropriate here. The University is using political correctness, in VIOLATION of its Catholicity.

Published by: mary elder payne
colorado springs co 03/30/2009 08:36 AM EST

I think you've taken an unemotional, logical objection to having the "President of Death" speak at the commencement. ND is a CATHOLIC university and should never compromise its values for publicity! Shame on them. Thank you for taking up the cause. My son was a 1995 graduate and protested abortin while he was at ND. If there was sadness in heaven, he would be weeping at this travesty. Bobby was killed in a car accident in 1997. For Bobby's sake, continue to fight for life!

Published by: Ed Connors
Easthampton, MA 03/30/2009 07:33 AM EST

Father Reese's position indicates why the Jesuits are a diminishing species. Boston College has an issue with placing a crucifix in a classroom, Holy Cross provides its Commencement forum and an Honorary Degree to Chris Matthews (to "augment"his undergraduate degree awarded in 1967) and Georgetown continues to be best known as Bill Clinton's alma mater.
Is there any wonder why Catholic K-12 education is what it is?
For the record, I earned an undergraduate degree from Holy Cross and a PhD in Mathematics from Notre Dame

Published by: Amanda Bagatta
Smithtown, NY USA 03/30/2009 07:29 AM EST

The University of Notre Dame was founded as -- and remains -- a private, Catholic institution. Intrinsic in its existence as a Catholic institution is its UNWAVERING respect for human life. How Notre Dame can reconcile inviting a man who opposes to the 100th degree everything “Catholic” that ND stands for is mind-boggling. Obvious contradictions aside, apparently “Father” Jenkins was not listening to Obama’s campaign speeches, the ones where he chided those who “cling to their guns and RELIGION.”

Notre Dame is the premier Catholic university in the world because it’s a leader, not a follower. As far as I know, we have never thrown out our core values for the sake of popularity or exposure. Notre Dame’s greatness is a manifestation of its willingness to stick to its principles, beliefs and core values over what’s in vogue. Exhibit A: our football team. I’m pretty sure if ND broke with its academic standards for recruits, we’d be in a helluva lot better position to compete for the National Championship. But they won’t. Although football is a huge part of ND’s history and reverence, it pales in comparison to the respect ND garners as the preeminent Catholic University in the world. Obama’s invitation flies directly in the face of this respect.

Published by: Fran Johanek
LaGrange Parl, Il USA 03/30/2009 07:16 AM EST

I am so Proud of the Good students at Notre Dame and Catholics all over the country, who think this is a disgrace and a real slap in the face to the Pro Life Movement.

Published by: DAD
Laure, MD, USA 03/30/2009 06:30 AM EST

I think ALL graduating students should boycott the graduation by not attending! They would still receive their degrees because they have earned them, but would demonstrate a faithfulness pleasing to God - pure and simple!

Published by: Magaret
La Quinta, CA 03/29/2009 10:23 PM EST

The human mind is an amazing thing, we can rationalize anything. That is why we have our faith and God's principles to live by, falling off his path will ruin our lives. We look to Notre Dame to solidify and lead our youth with moral integrity and a higher calling. Now it seems that sadly Notre Dame has dropped their moral fibre and discernment and that is alarming. We can no longer consider your University on the same
on which it was so highly revered. A sad day for out Country.

Published by: Elaine Suhre
Alhambra IL USA 03/29/2009 08:36 PM EST

Shame on Reese (Society of Jesus?) and Jenkins. Typical cafeteria catholics in spite of years of exposure to Catholic theology. They have given over absolute convictions to the relativism of the day.

I cheer these Faithful Notre Dame Catholic students and faculty for holding to the truths of our Church.

Mother Mary must be very proud of their defense of her Son and His Church.

Published by: Selina Ratliff
Madison, Ms 03/29/2009 08:23 PM EST

I want to thank the students of Notre Dame for standing up for the most innocent of our brothers and sisters. You will all be in my prayers as will Fr. John Jenkins, in hopes that he will rescind the invitation to President Obama.

Published by: John Forester
Baton Rouge/LS/USA 03/29/2009 07:54 PM EST

Father Reese is another liberal leaning defender of Obama, who thinks himself too clever for the shallow pro-lifers. His tulips remark shows his disdain for anyone who questions Obama's murderous abortion decisions. Reese and hundreds, maybe thousands, of like thinking priests, bishops and religious should be excommunicated for their heretical views.
How many innocent souls are victimized by Reese and company????
John Forester
Baton Rouge

Published by: Adam Davis
TX 03/29/2009 04:21 PM EST

Help the other hundreds of thousands of Catholics by signing the nation wide petition here to stop this:

http://notredamescandal.com/SignthePetitiontoFrJenkins/tabid/454/Default.aspx

Published by: Don Roof
West Seneca/ NY/USA 03/29/2009 03:50 PM EST

UND - A Catholic University ?
I think not !

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 03/29/2009 12:03 PM EST

I hope 'Father' Reese packs some shades and shorts because where he's going its known to be very hot. Father Reese is an utter and complete disgrace IMO--in addition to being disingenius. All five points are so easily refuted I cant believe he lacks the intelligence to refrain from making them public.

Published by: Wally
Enfield/CT/USA 03/27/2009 11:22 PM EST

Criticism by Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J. in the "Washington Post" against Notre Dame students and faculty who oppose honoring Pro-Abortion President Obama at this year's commencement, is just what we would expect from this liberal ex-editor of "America Magazine" who was fired from his position as editor by the Vatican for cause!

Published by: Sheila Crocker
Pasadena TX, USA 03/27/2009 03:58 PM EST

I support your efforts totally. It's unbelievable that our clergy have forgotten their roles. Inviting any pro-choice speaker to a supposedly Catholic university is morally wrong. I hope the auditorium is empty when he speaks.

Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, Texas, USA 03/27/2009 03:48 PM EST

Reese and Jenkins really tie themselves in knots trying to justify their support of this disgraceful decision to invite Obama to speak at Notre Dame. How pitiful! How far we've fallen in Catholic morality, and at "Our Lady's" school, too. I say Jenkins has to go! The sooner the better.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 03/27/2009 03:12 PM EST

Mr. John Jenkins, C.S.C and Mr. Thomas Reese, Lucifer never stole the fruits from the tree of knowledge himself, Eve and Adam did. The sins of the doers are forgiven when they repent. American Saint Dorothy Day had an abortion too. She was forgiven, but the evil advocates to murder those innocent voiceless defenseless God's children are not. Please note that Hitler himself never take a Jew to the gas chamber himself. He ordered it. Nortre Dame is a Catholic institute, the dean should be inviting Cardinals, not evil powerful politicians who upset all the students. Prophet Elijah and Prophet Moses never bowed to those evil powerful politicians and distorted God's truth. Mr. John Jenkins and Mr. Thomas Reese, both of you should be fired from Catholic institute, from your holy orders and from the priesthood. Shame on you! Shame on those bishops who tripped over each other to invite president Hussein Obama to dinner and to speak

Published by: Peter Nelson
Pine Island, MN 03/27/2009 02:11 PM EST

How many liberals would personally oppose President Bush appearing on campus, while still acknowledging the "honor" of receiving him? None. Conservatives have to stop kow-towing to the politically correct. It is not an honor to have an anti-Catholic give your Catholic commencement address, and you don't have to say it is. Your political rivals certainly do not extend the same courtesy to you.

Published by: Diane
Massachusetts 03/27/2009 01:24 PM EST

Why would the article on ewtn about NDU and Fr. Reese defending NDU's decision to have Obama not include a bit about his very own fruitcake past... The very Vatican had to quiet him. "Fr. Reese resigned after seven years as the editor of America due to pressure from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Over a period of five years, the congregation objected to various editorial decisions made by Reese concerning certain issues addressed in the magazine, notably priestly celibacy and the ordination of women. " I rest my case. Why is it the Jesuits are always in this sort of limelight?? What is up with that? I'm so tired of renegade priests and nuns. How dare they go against what it is to be Catholic. Reese and NDU president totally lack wisdom, understanding, reverence, counsel, the only one they seem to have is fortitude, to bad it's to do the wrong thing! Audacity would be a better word. God, please help us!!!!!

Published by: dolores
w hartford, ct 03/27/2009 01:05 PM EST

Thank you, dear students and affiliated groups. I have heard so many say the faith is dying...especially among young people. Look and see, they say. Thank you for telling them that the opposite is true and for being the standard bearers of the Truth. I know that young people seek the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Those who continue to suggest that the church they built up in the 1970s is THE church are discovering that there is another church: the Church in Christ.
Most gratefully,
S. Dolores Liptak, RSM
Church Historian

Published by: Mark Herwaldt
Sugar Grove, Il 03/27/2009 12:28 PM EST

It is intellectually dishonest to portray Obama as anything but pro-death. Look at his career. He even said that it is above his pay grade to determine when life begins. In 1997, opposed bill preventing partial-birth abortion.
In 2001, Opposed legislation protecting born-alive failed abortions. Obama voted ‘present” instead of “no’ on five horrendous anti-choice bills. Obama will make safeguarding women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn that decision. Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007. Voted against banning partial birth abortion "Do women have the right to make these profoundly difficult decisions? And I trust them to do it" Statement from Obama on partial birth abortion. We don't hold someone like President Obama to the same standard as other people in the past who have killed or supported the killing of human beings. Why? Because these human beings are silent and are hidden from view. If they were fully grown human beings, I would hope that all humans of good will would be outraged. Thus, He is able to skate by because these human beings are quietly killed in a back room. It seems if you can make it to birth then you have the right to use other human beings as you see fit to keep yourself alive and live the way that you want. As long as we don't see the mess, we can ignore the consequences. I am sorry but there will be hell to pay for anyone who supports abortion in any form.

Published by: Mary O'Brien
Nashville TN 03/27/2009 12:27 PM EST

I fully support the university's choice as a commencement speaker.

However, to honor anyone who has just signed a law allowing federal funding to be used for embryonic stem cell research and for abortion services in other countries is absolutely contradictory to the teaching of our Church and recent instruction from our Pope.

Perhaps to solve this problem the President could speak without receiving the honorary degree.

The student response does credit to the University and their own hard work.

Published by: Lisa Simmons
Cape Girardeau, MO United States 03/27/2009 09:40 AM EST

Thank God there are Catholic students who will stand up for what is truly Catholic! Now, as Catholic parents and adults we should SUPPORT them!

Published by: Rev. James Molgano
Jensen Beach, FL 03/27/2009 06:13 AM EST

The time for these maverick priests like Fr. Jenkins and Fr. Reese must come to an end...in a speech to the priests, deacons, and seminarians at Notre Dame during the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes, the Holy Father said that "In obeying, you turn your soul towards the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life" Canon 833 needs to be enforced by ecclesial authority... either pastors, rectors, and faculty comply or let them be anathema!

Published by: Roseblev
Fort Wayne,IN 03/27/2009 04:23 AM EST

President Obama just removed the strictions on abortion,little as they were.He campained
on this premise. ND is now giving their stamp of approval by allowing him to speak to our youth. Prolife is an absolute.There are no deviations.

Published by: Stephanie N. Bach
Grovertown, IN (USA) 03/27/2009 12:42 AM EST

I think it is a disgrace that many of us catholics are fighting to prevent babies from getting killed and then get smacked in the head by a liberal ND President that invites this strong abortion advocate..to speak at ND. I just cannot believe how many catholics actually support this man. Are we in the 'end times' where good & evil are at war ?? How could killing babies have any good in it ?? I cannot support Pres. Obama, I believe that he has evil on his mind all the way around on many issues.
The fools that voted for him will have to answer to a much Higher Power someday.

Published by: Harry
Sacramento, CA, USA 03/26/2009 11:47 PM EST

I commend the young people who stand against this monstrous insult to God and monstrous disrespect for Our Lady. I will certainly give all the support I can in this effort. And, to Fr. Jenkins, rest assured, if you do not rescind the invitation, I and my friends will be there on campus on May 17th. And be assured, having Obama on Notre Dame campus will bear bitter fruit for generations to come.

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