(AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
--updated 5/17/09--
Hundreds of students and anti-abortion activists have been protesting the University's decision to invite President Obama to speak at commencement on May 17th and the university's decision to honor Obama with a doctor of laws degree. Notre Dame, by virtue of its being a Roman Catholic institution, conflicts with President Obama's policies on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. President Obama has been described by the Chicago Tribune as "a longtime supporter of abortion rights".
White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs stated Friday that the president would reference the controversy surrounding his invitation to deliver the Catholic university's commencement address and receipt of an honorary degree.
"I think you'll hear him address it, but I think you'll also have a president and commencement speaker that's quite cognizant of the fact that this is a commencement ceremony," Gibbs said. "This is a special occasion for families to celebrate the conferring of degrees in this ceremony and that the president will understand that's the most important aspect of the day."
Five years ago, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a statement declaring the following stance on just such actions entitled, Catholics in Political Life
The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.
We commit ourselves to maintain communication with public officials who make decisions every day that touch issues of human life and dignity.
In keeping true to their faith and dearly held convictions, groups of students have organized and protested on the campus of Notre Dame, voicing their outrage and disappointment over what can be considered the university's good faith, bad judgment invitation. For some, the cause for controversy is not only the President being invited to speak, but that he is being bestowed with the university's honor.
The full breadth of dissonance between pro-life Catholics and the Obama administration is more apparent in light of the President's legislative initiatives and goals.
Federal Funding of International Abortions
According to an Associated Press report this January, "Obama reverses abortion-funds policy--
Bush policy banned U.S. funds for groups that promote or perform abortion" , one of President Obama's first initiatives in office, done without press coverage, was to strike down a ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information.
The Bush policy banned U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of U.S. Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that lobby to legalize abortion or promote it as a family planning method.
Reversal of Health Care Conscience Clause
Put into action earlier this year as one of the final initiatives by the Bush administration, this rule offered more protection to health care professionals who may object to providing abortion counseling or assistance.
Last year, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said it was necessary to address discrimination in the medical field.
He criticized "an environment in the health-care field that is intolerant of individual conscience, certain religious beliefs, ethnic and cultural traditions and moral convictions."
The Obama administration allowed a 30 day public comment period that ended April 9th before it will make its final determination on what is entitled the "Rescission of the Regulation entitled 'Ensuring That Department of Health and Human Services Funds Do Not Support Coercive or Discriminatory Policies or Practices in Violation of Federal Law'; Proposal"
Freedom of Choice Act
Obama has vowed he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) as soon as possible. If passed, FOCA would declare that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health. The bill is described by NARAL Pro-Choice America president Nancy Keenan as a bill to "codify Roe v. Wade" which would repeal the Federal Abortion Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, and other federal restrictions. If passed, FOCA stands to invalidate every restriction on abortion nationwide, including parental notification laws, informed consent laws, and bans on partial birth abortion. Currently, there are currently over 300 such laws. Freedom of Choice Act
FOCA also jeopardizes existing laws prohibiting abortions in public hospitals and barring non-physicians from performing abortions, resulting in approximately 125,000 more abortions being performed annually in the United States.
There is also the potential that FOCA will obligate religious hospitals to either perform abortions or shut down since existing conscience clause laws do not explicitly allow religious hospitals to ban the abortion procedure within the hospital.
More information on FOCA opposition is available here.
The objections of Notre Dame students and other influential Catholic leaders continue as the university defends its position on chosing to honor Obama despite his strong stance on removing any limits on abortion -- a conviction that contradicts Catholic teaching and the will of the majority of Americans-- Nationwide Poll Shows 84% of Americans Favor Significant Restrictions on Abortion
_________________________________________________
For a related post, see Hope and courage: Obama at Notre Dame
Comments
To say that the president should make a speech
at Notre Dame because he's African-American is
RACIST! Being pro-abortion and making a speech at this school is just ABSURD. Why should Americans pay anyone to promote or perform
abortions anywhere? I'm sure there are a great many people both here and abroad who do use abortion as a family planning method. And being a former nurse, NO ONE would ever force me to assist with an abortion when I was nursing.
I agree with M.A.M.A.- To invite him because he is the sitting president is one thing, to invite him because he is the "First Black President" sounds condescending in a way.
This does not make sense for either party. Obama would fit in well ideologically speaking at Columbia who shares his world view in a lot of cases, but going to Notre Dame where he is sure to draw a lot of protest (rightfully so) seems to be a bad move. There are a lot of Catholic teachings that are not in line with Obama's philosophy and abortion is an issue that the Catholic Church and Obama are miles apart on.
I am personally against abortion, but I fall short on calling for abortion bans as I believe the Black Market again would rear its ugly head. I believe the way to win this battle is one heart and mind at a time. I do not want any of my tax dollars to support abortion here or abroad and I don't believe healthcare providers should be forced to assist in conducting abortions if it is against their beliefs.
Thanks to M.A.M.A and Mark for expressing your opinions on this subject.
Notre Dame has a history of inviting presidents to speak at commencement. That could be another reason why the invitation was extended, but perhaps not enough consideration was done beforehand.
I had a change of heart on this as a radio host made a comment that stuck with me- "Conservatives are often critisizing liberal universities such as Columbia for not having enough diversity of thought." Maybe Notre Dame should encourage Obama to come and speak as an example of a socially conservative university that accepts opposing views or political figures they do not agree with.
I'm just trying tom be intellectually honest with myself and I've often debated friends out here on the left coast about how the Cal Berkleys of the world snuff out opposition in the classroom or on campus. If I am to give that criticism then I believe a conservative institution should "walk the walk" and take the high road.
Mark, I'm just not sure the university's intent was to promote "diversity of thought." More likely, they were pleased to continue their tradition of hosting presidents.
How exactly does a commencement speech and honorary law degree promote diversity of thought? An institution which arguably should be upholding the tenets of the Catholic faith would do better to have discussions and debates consisting of opposing sides, rather than bestowing honor upon someone whose actions are in such conflict with the deep convictions of most Catholics.
I appreciate your input!
Robbin, good topic by the way!
I would agree with you that in may not promote "diversity of thought", but it might promote tolerance of someone who does not necessarily share the world view of the university and a lot of its members. I believe (if I read correctly) that 75% of the faculty are against his speaking while most of the student body is supportive of his visit. I believe I would have similar views if Sarah Palin was President and she has offered to speak at the University of Indiana (Which is pretty liberal) and if they were trying to remove her as speaker because of her abortion views. I originally was siding with the opposition to his speaking as I'm not a fan of Obama for a lot of reasons, but as I mentioned earlier I started to look at it differently in that we should respect the office even if we do not agree with the office holder.
Abortion is a complicated, divisive issue where people are all over the place. Some people consider it a sin to interrupt or impair the reproductive process while others support abortion almost up to the last minute and most other are somewhere in between. I myself am against abortion except in cases of rape or if the mother's health is in jeopardy. My mother is against abortion in any case and we have had big debates. I guess what I am saying is that -do we want abortion as the "litmus test" for anyone invited to speak even if they are not necessarily delving into politics?
Robbin, I do agree with you in that socially liberal or conservative schools should be encouraging robust debates on issues but maybe it will be a start just to listen and to be respectful to someone you do not necessarily agree with. I would doubt that Obama has any plans to discuss abortion and that his speech will the same “boiler plate” sort of stuff that most Presidents address such as civic responsibility etc.
I hate that I never check my writing before I hit send- I can't spell to save my life and always leave out a word- so everyone please excuse my lazy habits.
Obama did discuss abortion and how we should all get along. Notre Dame has also honored Presidents in the past who didn't deserve it so what's changed. However, in this case, Obama is diametrically opposed to fundamental Church teaching and is doing his best to change public policy. This is a Catholic university which is supposed to teach and support Catholic doctrine. Whether to end a life is not up to discussion like any other political idea. The Church does not believe the individual has a right to make up their own mind whether to kill their unborn child.
I remember being upset when my son was in a Florida public high school and the teacher would hold discussion groups (one of these was on abortion) and the kids decided what was right. He told me the class was pro-choice and the consensus was abortion was ok. Do we think public schools teachers don't get involved in inflicting their moral values on our kids? I made a big mistake sending my kids to public school and if I was paying the big bucks to send my son or daughter to Notre Dame, I'd think I made a big mistake too.
I am apalled at the current administration at Notre Dame. Inviting the president to speak certainly is consistent with freedom of expression upon which any University should be based. But bestowing its highest honor upon a man who so blatantly opposes one of the principles of the Church which the university pretends to uphold is an insult to all Catholics. Unfortunately, it's just another example of the situational morality which is destroying our nation. Nothing is right or wrong, nothing is black or white, everything is a shade in between.
As for o's FOCA, why can't we just call it what it is - FOMA (freedom of murder act). In one bill, he manages to set aside states' rights, parents' rights, health care workers' rights to obey their own conscience, and the moral obligation to protect unborn lives.
I am glad to see that the alumni endowments are taking a major hit at Notre Dame due to this issue. Money, not morality, is the new currency at Notre Dame.
Interestingly, there seems a contradiction between affirming that abortion is a women's right, implicating that this is a freedom to be cherished, and at the same time, President Obama in his Notre Dame speech urging Americans to work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions, and unintended pregnancies. If abortion is an acceptable and viable option, why bother?
I appreciate all your comments.
--Miami City Buzz Examiner
Robbin, you will find it utterly frustrating to understand the contradictions in anything obama has to say. I look more at his actions than at what he does - his words tend to be meaningless. He has increased US funding of abortions outside this country; is that supposed to reduce abortions? His voting record is 100% pro-abortion. He refers to pro-life proponents as radical right wingers.
The man is a chameleon.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!