.- Upon hearing the announcement that President Obama is scheduled to speak at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement exercises in May, the Cardinal Newman Society launched a website offering people the opportunity to sign a petition opposing the invitation. The petition already has 33,000 signers and will be sent to Fr. John Jenkins, the university's president.
On Friday, the announcement was made that President Obama will be the main speaker at Notre Dame’s graduation ceremony and will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
In response, the Cardinal Newman Society launched a nationwide campaign urging the university to withdraw its speaking invitation to the President.
The web-based campaign, www.NotreDameScandal.com, includes an online petition to Fr. Jenkins as well as contact information for the university. A press release from the organization urges Catholics to join the campaign – and as of Monday afternoon, 33,000 people had electronically signed their names to the petition.
