South Bend, Ind., May 13, 2009 / 15:04 pm
University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins has written to the Graduating Class of 2009, praising their conduct over recent weeks in the debate over the school’s commencement invitation to President Obama. Defending the university’s commitment to the sanctity of life, he argued President Obama’s invitation would help cultural engagement.
Fr. Jenkins, noting that he took office at the same time the upcoming graduates arrived at Notre Dame, said he felt a "special kinship" with them.
"During your years here we have endeavored to train you in the various disciplines and urged you to ask the larger questions – discussing not only the technical and practical but also the ethical and spiritual dimensions of pressing issues. I have been proud of you as you’ve grappled with intellectual, political, and spiritual questions. But I have never been more proud than I have been watching the way you’ve conducted yourselves over the past several weeks."
Acknowledging that the invitation of President Obama has triggered debate, he said in some cases the dispute has grown "heated" even among those who "agree completely" on Church teaching about the sanctity of human life.