Good for Her by Tom Neven on 05/15/2009 at 10:09 AM

It’s college commencement time, and in a normal year the president of the United States is invited to give the commencement address at hundreds of colleges. He usually accepts a few.

This weekend President Obama will be giving the address at Notre Dame, the grande dame of Roman Catholic universities in the U.S. A substantial portion of the Notre Dame community—including students, parents, and alumni—is not at all happy about this “honor.” They are upset that a premiere institution of the Catholic Church in America is giving a platform and honorary degree to a man who actively supports behavior that the church considers a gross evil, namely abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

The university tried to mollify objections by also inviting Mary Ann Glendon, a law professor at Harvard University, member of the editorial board of First Things who also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 2007 to 2009. Notre Dame planned to award Ambassador Glendon the prestigious Laetare Medal and, in a press-release’s talking points, tried to use this fact to silence those who think an abortion supporter has no business speaking at a Roman Catholic institution:

President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.

Only she wouldn’t cooperate. Ambassador Glendon turned down this honor as a matter of principle. In a letter to Notre Dame’s president, she said:

[A]s a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” ...

A commencement … is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice. ... It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

Good for her. She’s nobody’s fool and refused to be used as a foil against anyone who disagreed with the university’s policy. And good for the students and others who also will not allow protocol or politics to trump moral convictions.

PS. As an interesting postscript, a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that objections to the president’s speaking at Notre Dame differed by how often the respondent attended Catholic services, which is, I think, good evidence that there really is a difference between merely claiming the name of Christ and actually living out that claim.

Good for Her by Tom Neven on 05/15/2009 at 10:09 AM

It’s college commencement time, and in a normal year the president of the United States is invited to give the commencement address at hundreds of colleges. He usually accepts a few.

This weekend President Obama will be giving the address at Notre Dame, the grande dame of Roman Catholic universities in the U.S. A substantial portion of the Notre Dame community—including students, parents, and alumni—is not at all happy about this “honor.” They are upset that a premiere institution of the Catholic Church in America is giving a platform and honorary degree to a man who actively supports behavior that the church considers a gross evil, namely abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

The university tried to mollify objections by also inviting Mary Ann Glendon, a law professor at Harvard University, member of the editorial board of First Things who also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 2007 to 2009. Notre Dame planned to award Ambassador Glendon the prestigious Laetare Medal and, in a press-release’s talking points, tried to use this fact to silence those who think an abortion supporter has no business speaking at a Roman Catholic institution:

President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.

Only she wouldn’t cooperate. Ambassador Glendon turned down this honor as a matter of principle. In a letter to Notre Dame’s president, she said:

[A]s a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” ...

A commencement … is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice. ... It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

Good for her. She’s nobody’s fool and refused to be used as a foil against anyone who disagreed with the university’s policy. And good for the students and others who also will not allow protocol or politics to trump moral convictions.

PS. As an interesting postscript, a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that objections to the president’s speaking at Notre Dame differed by how often the respondent attended Catholic services, which is, I think, good evidence that there really is a difference between merely claiming the name of Christ and actually living out that claim.

Comments

[1. Cassandra said the following at 10:23 AM on May 15:]

1

Good for her. She’s nobody’s fool and refused to be used as a foil against anyone who disagreed with the university’s policy.

That's awesome. I'm so happy to see people stand up for their values and principles. Thanks for sharing that encouraging story.

[2. brx said the following at 11:26 AM on May 15:]

2

Wow, I'm impressed by her wisdom in discerning the right actions of duty and integrity as ambassaor - and ability to express it tactfully yet clearly with poignance!

I wish there was some way I could hear the presentation Obama gives at the commencement. The pressure must be pretty heavy on his speech writers to come up with something brilliant!

grace, peace & adventures in integrity and tact

[3. Tom Neven said the following at 11:37 AM on May 15:]

3

brx (#2)

The text of the president's speech should be available at the White House web site and maybe the Notre Dame web site.

[4. Megan said the following at 12:02 PM on May 15:]

4

I agree - good for her! It's encouraging to hear of someone who has strong conviction not only with her own beliefs, but with words spoken by authoritative figures in her life. Honestly, if my name was thrown around to be the antithesis to our incredibly liberal President, I'd decline as well.

This is great PR for BO ... and I'm sure this will be thrown in our faces for quite a while. I can see it now, "President Obama spoke at commencement ceremonies at the prestigious Notre Dame this weekend. He was warmly accepted by those in attendence." Accept the mainstream media will neglect those who weren't in attendence were protesting right outside the door.

[5. LouseinPA said the following at 12:35 PM on May 15:]

5

She has truly given us a model of grace and humility not only by standing up for what she believes, but also exercising the humility to decline such a prestigious award. I can only hope I would act in the same manner.

[6. Keith said the following at 1:35 PM on May 15:]

6

This reminds me of what happened here in Canada when abortion doctor and abortion rights support Dr. Mortengaler was awarded the Order of Canada. Many other recipients of the Order of Canada were so disturbed that they actually gave their medals back or at least threatened to.

Let's hope that Obama can speak, while at the university, about the importance of reducing abortion by assisting the poor. I hope that he realizes and can teach people that discrimination and violence against the unborn is no different than the discrimination and violence that has been practiced against African Americans for too long. The unborn, like African Americans, have been a group that have been the victims of more powerful people who have used economic and legal power against them. I just hope he can understand that connection, and use the platforms given to him to make that point loud and clear.

[7. BDB said the following at 2:00 PM on May 15:]

7

Most people aren't objecting to him speaking, they are objecting to him being given the award. The challenge is that it's very common to give honorary degrees to the luminaries who come speak at commencement. I'm not sure what they could specifically do that would allow him to speak without showing undue honor.

I do think the President should be the commencemet speaker at the Air Force, Navy, and U.S. Military academies. It's good for the new officers to hear their Commander-in-Chief.

[8. Nate said the following at 3:19 PM on May 15:]

8

This is only peripherally related, but I was just thinking today: what if the president announced that all non-members of mainstream Protestant groups had to register for a license for "religous activity, and that said license could be denied them. Imagine the outcry. Then he announces that it's not for real and turns the spotlight on countries that do that (cf. the Muslim world--IF they're nice enough to allow non-Muslims to worship at all). Sounds like Amb. Glendon might have the fortitude to do something like that. Anyhow, kudos to her.

[9. Lindsay Meyer said the following at 5:20 PM on May 15:]

9

As a Notre Dame alum, I would tactfully point out that the University has a tradition of inviting the President to give the commencement address. In 2001, George W. Bush spoke at graduation. Others have included: Eisenhower, Carter, Raegan, and Bush Sr. See here

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from Fr. John Jenkins, publicly commending the Class of 2009, for gracefully dealing with the media barrage they've faced over the past several weeks. Indeed, I sympathize with the students who will never forget their graduation day, or the controversy that it catalyzed.

[1. Cassandra said the following at 10:23 AM on May 15:]

1

Good for her. She’s nobody’s fool and refused to be used as a foil against anyone who disagreed with the university’s policy.

That's awesome. I'm so happy to see people stand up for their values and principles. Thanks for sharing that encouraging story.

[2. brx said the following at 11:26 AM on May 15:]

2

Wow, I'm impressed by her wisdom in discerning the right actions of duty and integrity as ambassaor - and ability to express it tactfully yet clearly with poignance!

I wish there was some way I could hear the presentation Obama gives at the commencement. The pressure must be pretty heavy on his speech writers to come up with something brilliant!

grace, peace & adventures in integrity and tact

[3. Tom Neven said the following at 11:37 AM on May 15:]

3

brx (#2)

The text of the president's speech should be available at the White House web site and maybe the Notre Dame web site.

[4. Megan said the following at 12:02 PM on May 15:]

4

I agree - good for her! It's encouraging to hear of someone who has strong conviction not only with her own beliefs, but with words spoken by authoritative figures in her life. Honestly, if my name was thrown around to be the antithesis to our incredibly liberal President, I'd decline as well.

This is great PR for BO ... and I'm sure this will be thrown in our faces for quite a while. I can see it now, "President Obama spoke at commencement ceremonies at the prestigious Notre Dame this weekend. He was warmly accepted by those in attendence." Accept the mainstream media will neglect those who weren't in attendence were protesting right outside the door.

[5. LouseinPA said the following at 12:35 PM on May 15:]

5

She has truly given us a model of grace and humility not only by standing up for what she believes, but also exercising the humility to decline such a prestigious award. I can only hope I would act in the same manner.

[6. Keith said the following at 1:35 PM on May 15:]

6

This reminds me of what happened here in Canada when abortion doctor and abortion rights support Dr. Mortengaler was awarded the Order of Canada. Many other recipients of the Order of Canada were so disturbed that they actually gave their medals back or at least threatened to.

Let's hope that Obama can speak, while at the university, about the importance of reducing abortion by assisting the poor. I hope that he realizes and can teach people that discrimination and violence against the unborn is no different than the discrimination and violence that has been practiced against African Americans for too long. The unborn, like African Americans, have been a group that have been the victims of more powerful people who have used economic and legal power against them. I just hope he can understand that connection, and use the platforms given to him to make that point loud and clear.

[7. BDB said the following at 2:00 PM on May 15:]

7

Most people aren't objecting to him speaking, they are objecting to him being given the award. The challenge is that it's very common to give honorary degrees to the luminaries who come speak at commencement. I'm not sure what they could specifically do that would allow him to speak without showing undue honor.

I do think the President should be the commencemet speaker at the Air Force, Navy, and U.S. Military academies. It's good for the new officers to hear their Commander-in-Chief.

[8. Nate said the following at 3:19 PM on May 15:]

8

This is only peripherally related, but I was just thinking today: what if the president announced that all non-members of mainstream Protestant groups had to register for a license for "religous activity, and that said license could be denied them. Imagine the outcry. Then he announces that it's not for real and turns the spotlight on countries that do that (cf. the Muslim world--IF they're nice enough to allow non-Muslims to worship at all). Sounds like Amb. Glendon might have the fortitude to do something like that. Anyhow, kudos to her.

[9. Lindsay Meyer said the following at 5:20 PM on May 15:]

9

As a Notre Dame alum, I would tactfully point out that the University has a tradition of inviting the President to give the commencement address. In 2001, George W. Bush spoke at graduation. Others have included: Eisenhower, Carter, Raegan, and Bush Sr. See here

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from Fr. John Jenkins, publicly commending the Class of 2009, for gracefully dealing with the media barrage they've faced over the past several weeks. Indeed, I sympathize with the students who will never forget their graduation day, or the controversy that it catalyzed.