by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright May 15, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

             Still hung over from the Bush administration, Notre Dame students haven’t woke up to a new reality of the old Establishment Clause, demanding a clear and unequivocal separation of church and state.  When pro-choice President Barack Obama takes the stage May 17 at Notre Dame’s 164th commencement, pro-life groups should take notice that religious dogma—Catholic or otherwise—is irrelevant and inappropriate.  No public or private institution taking federal grants or participating in the Student Loan Program can make its own rules.  Whether they like it or not, pro-life groups must accept Roe v. Wade.  Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins got it right inviting a pro-choice president to speak over the objections of Catholic clerics, students and pro-life groups.  “Don’t listen to the criticism, don’t listen to the praise, just make the best decision you can,” reflected Jenkins.

            Seventy Catholic bishops blasted Jenkins for ignoring Church edicts on abortion and stem cell research.  Harvard University Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon rejected Notre Dame’s most prestigious award, the Laetare Medal, because Obama is slated to speak and receive an honorary doctorate of laws degree.  Glendon, Bush’s former Vatican ambassador, picked the wrong place in to voice her pro-life views, considering Harvard receives billions in federal grants, more than any U.S. university.  Considered an anti-abortion scholar, Glendon insisted she couldn’t accept the award because giving Obama an honorary degree violated the 2004 U.S. Bishops’ statement that Catholic institutions shouldn’t honor individuals that conflict with Church dogma.  Glendon should be ashamed of her pro-life grandstanding, embarrassing Harvard and slapping Notre Dame in the face.

            Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George has every right to criticize Notre Dame for extending an invitation to Barack.  He represents the Catholic Church, not a private university receiving billions in taxpayer dollars.  “It is clear that Notre Dame didn’t understand what it means to be a Catholic when they issued the invitation [to Obama],” said George, totally ignoring the separation of church and state.  When President George W. Bush banned federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research March 26, 2005 and launched his faith-based initiative, he crossed the line between church and state.  Professor Glendon has every right to express her anti-abortion views but she should resign from Harvard.  Her employer receives billions in federal grants to study embryonic stem cells, family planning and other controversial research topics opposed by the Catholic Church.

            Notre Dame President Jenkins has received flack for honoring America’s first black president with an honorary degree.  “He respects people who differ, but he’s resolute in his decision because he did it based on conscience and what he really believes in,” said Richard Notebaert, chairman of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees.  When Harvard alumnus John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960, he faced an avalanche of criticism because of his Catholic faith.  No Catholic had ever won the presidency.  Kennedy set the record straight Sept. 12, 1960, telling the Greater Houston Ministerial Association that the Vatican, or any other religious body, would not affect his decisions as president.  Jenkins now faces growing calls for his head, serving the fourth year of a five-year contract.  Notre Dame will need a scapegoat for this debacle,” said Kansas City St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn.    

                 Aniti-abortion groups need to get a grip, realizing that, contrary to popular opinion, Notre Dame receives federal grants and participates the federal Student Loan Program.  Notre Dame admissions accept students, faculty and researchers of all denominations, not just Catholics or Christians opposed Roe v. Wade.  Honoring Obama doesn’t dishonor the morality of pro-life students and groups.  It sends a loud message to the Vatican that American Catholic institutions, especially those of higher learning, swear their loyalty to the U.S. Constitution before the Church.  “My approach is to think one year at a time, one week at a time, even one day at a time,” said Jenkins, following his predecessor Rev. Edward Malloy who allowed the racy “Vagina Monologues” to play on campus.  Jenkins would be well-advised to remind his distinguished students, faculty and friends that Notre Dame follows the U.S. Constitution.

            Pro-life groups have spun out of control, condemning Notre Dame President John Jenkins for honoring President Barack Obama at the school’s 164th graduation.  Pro-lifers may not like Roe v. Wade but it’s the law of the land.  No university receiving federal funds or participating in the federal Student Loan Program can or should discriminate against a pro-life president.  Anti-abortion activists, like Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon, should pick a different venue in which to protest Roe v. Wade.  If she sees fit to reject Notre Dame’s highest honor because pro-choice Barack supports federally funded abortions, stem cell research or gay marriage, she should immediately resign her post.  U.S. Catholic cardinals, bishops, priests and parishioners should remind themselves of their loyalty to the U.S. Constitution.  Only then, will they realize that Jenkins made the right choice.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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