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He should not let a few dissidents prevent him from honoring an invitation to give the commencement address at Notre Dame!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! THOSE PRIESTS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. WHAT YEAR IS THIS ANYWAY!?!?!?!?
Remember that the sins of the Kings of Israel had a direct consequence on their people. Saul, David, Solomon, and many others are examples
How many PRO-DEATH PENALTY speakers have been warmly welcomed at Catholic universities? That policy also goes against church teachings.
Pres. Obama's positions are more in keeping with many Catholics than the pro-life til birth crowd who support unjust war and the death pen.
No, and the priests who are objecting to his invitation are idiots. They are insulting the President of the United States.
Obama should use every avenue to help our nation and the world move forward. None of us should back down to the radical wing of the church
Funny how my fellow catholics didnt have a problem going to war in iraq when Pope John Paul II said NO. 5,000 kids dead there.. thats OK
President Obama shows he respects views contrary to his - a lesson all of us should learn. The radical right just shows its intolerance.
God doesn't vote for President. Americans do. American policy is just that and is not run by religious edict.
President Obama has been nothing less than gracious, so what if a few crazies want to whine?
It is disgraceful that a Catholic University would ask him in the first place, but he should bow out. It would be the right thing to do!!!
I cant see barack going anywhere the crowd wont swoon for him. Why would he go there risking that he might be booed? While on camera.
I would never go where I am not wanted. I can't help but wonder why the ND sanctioned the invite to begin with if it would cause such a mes
he should speak, especially if the University gets federal funds, they should be open to an opposing view
As an alumnus of Notre Dame, I support both the University's invitation and the President's acceptance to speak.
There are many other universities and communities that would be honored and can respect differences. Come to Northern Michigan University!
Did the other sitting presidents who gave the addresses policies all fall right in line with church beliefs? I doubt it.
It's his duty to represent everyone, not just pro-lifers. This isn't about being pro-choice; it's about speaking as our President.
He should politely decline, especially since he has said to the world that we are not a "Christian" nation - nothing to do with tolerance.
This is about Abortion not George Bush or the death penalty. If you have to change issues to make an argument it seems to me that you can not argue this case on it's merits.
The debate is this, should someone who supports ending the life of a baby be allowed to speak at a University that was founded on Catholic beliefs?
This is not about separation of church and state. Notre Dame is a private institution.
Debate this case on it's merits. At the very least keep the discussion on the topic of abortion.
The very definition of the procedure gives away the truth about the reality of the procedure.
Abortion stops life. I was able to view the ultra sound of my third child. At 9 weeks old we were able to see hands and legs. We saw a head and a body but most amazing of all was the beating heart. We could heard the beatiful sound of our child's young beating heart!
God forbid we made a "choice" and decided to abort this child. What would become of it's hands and feet? What would happen to it's beating heart? What sound would we then hear?
Through all the years of the abortion debate the one thing that always is ignored is the sound of the beating heart. How can we ingnore that noise of life? You can change the subject. You can claim gender independence. You can site statistics of poverty and child abuse. Or you can change the subject all together and blame George Bush. (The left's equivalent to a 5th grader's laminated universal excuse note).
But one thing you can not deny is that abortion silences what was once a beautiful sound, that all familiar rythmic beat.
It is my hope that Notre Dame keeps the debate on the issue of Abortion and sends a message to our country that this is not about politics, not about single issue voting, but about the beating heart of millions of unborn babies.
#41 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 12:53 PM EDTIt is not about abortion; it is about inviting the President of the United States to speak at commencement; the people who are protesting against this invitation are making it about abortion and church teachings. Can Notre Dame only invite commencement speakers who are against abortion? Is that a stipulation Catholics are making? You can only speak if you believe like us? For Catholics only; all others need not apply
I believe it is the Catholic Church's opportunity to take a stand for what they believe in. I am not Catholic. I am a Lutheran who believes in the fundamentals of the bible. One of my biggest issues with the Catholic Church is they don't back up their beliefs with action.
It is about Abortion because this President with his policies is increasing the amount of babies that will die. Notre Dame can't have it both ways.
In a sense we can agree. Either Notre Dame says we can not allow people who are actively promoting a social agenda that is contrary to the core beliefs of the Catholic Church speak at our commencement services.
Or, like you say they can simply say this is about the President and a commencement speech.
However it is my opinion that by allowing him to speak they are denying an opportunity to take a stand for what they believe to be right.
Either you are going to live your beliefs or you are going to find ways to get around what you believe.
They can take a stand on what they believe to be right in many ways; through actively campaigning against abortion; through teaching, through working with agencies to help unwed mothers and through helping support babies who are unloved and unwanted. By actively supporting sex education in schools. By asking Obama to speak, the University is not saying they support abortion, they are asking the President of the United States to address the Class of 2009; his was an historical election and he stirred many of the young people today to become active; awakened many to pursue their own beliefs; pro life or otherwise. This is the hallmark of his Presidency thus far; not his position on abortion. The University is not looking for ways to get around their Catholic beliefs by inviting him to speak; Notre Dame does not represent President Obama nor is President Obama claiming to speak for Notre Dame or the Catholic Church; he is speaking as himself, the President of our United States; we do not all think alike nor believe alike; that makes us all stronger.
Cathy, your arguments are well reasoned , however, a commencement is not a debate or discussion. An honory degree is a recognitions of approval of the person and their work. I would be great to have a forum on abortion or medical care or poverty and invite Pres. Obama to attend and speak. Obama has done very many good things and Catholics can be thankful to him for these, however, abortion is a fundamental belive that the hierarchy have essentially made part of the Profession of Faith in practice.
That leads to my second point is that the bishops of the US have specifially asked that Catholic groups like universities not give honors to politicians that are pro-choice. This is a slap in the face of all bishops for ND to boldly go against this request. If ND can disregard the bishops this publicly, then no one in the pew needs to follow them on any other teaching they may have. I know that this is often the case already, however, this just makes it easier and easier for youth to slide away from the Church and believe whatever works for them today.
Exactly. Who is turning the commencement into a debate and discussion? Not Obama. He just accepted the invitation; I doubt he will speak about abortion rights.
I understood that Notre Dame gives an honorary degree to all commencement speakers. Should President Obama not receive an honorary degree while President Bush did receive one? Is Obama's position on abortion any more against the Catholic Church's beliefs than Bush's stance on the death penalty? His state killing more people than any other? He received an honorary degree. Why not Obama? Maybe the University needs to change its policy; award honorary degrees to those who support the Church's teachings. Seems like that would limit the University's reputation as an institution of higher learning, but that would be their choice.
I am responding to your saying that a university should be open to debate and discussion with other points of view. This is not what happens at commencement, the one time the university's best is promoted, not debated.
You cannot justify Obama's speech by saying that Bush did it too. Both may be wrong. By the numbers, many many more lives are ended by abortion than adult executions, so Bush is less wrong on this point that Obama. And yes, the university should limit its honorary degrees to those who agree on Church's core teachings.
I am responding to your saying that a university should be open to debate and discussion with other points of view. This is not what happens at commencement, the one time the university's best is promoted, not debated.
You cannot justify Obama's speech by saying that Bush did it too. Both may be wrong. By the numbers, many many more lives are ended by abortion than adult executions, so Bush is less wrong on this point that Obama. And yes, the university should limit its honorary degrees to those who agree on Church's core teachings.
I am responding to your saying that a university should be open to debate and discussion with other points of view. This is not what happens at commencement, the one time the university's best is promoted, not debated.
You cannot justify Obama's speech by saying that Bush did it too. Both may be wrong. By the numbers, many many more lives are ended by abortion than adult executions, so Bush is less wrong on this point that Obama. And yes, the university should limit its honorary degrees to those who agree on Church's core teachings.
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To the youth. It is you who will make the change. The world is watching. Our president recently addressed the youth of the universities in the regions he last visited. These are the regions that this country wants to embrace our form of Democracy.
Is Democracy determined by a do as I say do Policy? Or is it a Form of Profound Conscience.
Norte Damned the World is watching.
#42 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 12:54 PM EDTUnless, any of you Catholics out there think that looking the other way while your priests rape thousands of boys, is, somehow, a Catholic value. I guess, given the history of this "holier-than-thou" Hypocrisy; it may very well be.
#43 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 12:59 PM EDTObama should gp spew his anti-Amercian Pro-Abortion jib-jab at a public school.
NOT a Catholic U.
#44 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:01 PM EDTBeing invited to speak does not mean he will be speaking about his beliefs about abortion. So it would be okay to be "anti-american" at a public school, the heart of our educational system? GO CATHOLICS
As an alumnus of Notre Dame, I have no problem with the University's invitation - nor with the President's acceptance to address the graduates. I am somewhat surprised at the fundamentalist approach of those in opposition. Throughout his life, Jesus surrounded himself with those who were marginalized. He condemned no one, except the hypocracy of the High Priests who were doing business in the temple and those who harmed children (remember the mill stone?). We live in a diverse society and if the University is going to continue its tradition to expose its students with various opportunities so that they can form their own opinions, then what is the problem? In some of the comments written here, there is a thread of 'religious-right' thinking. I am comfortable in my faith and beleive if Jesus walked this earth today, he would have concerns with those who are so quick to judge others. If you do not agree with the President attending and speaking at the graduation, don't go! Thank you Notre Dame for continuing your tradtion of inviting Presidents and for providing your students with the opportunity to listen to someone who's opinions and beliefs may differ from their own.
#45 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:03 PM EDT
Maybe those Catholic Priests should use this opportunity to exercise the many “demons” out of Obama!
God save this country from Obama!
#46 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:04 PM EDTIts not too late
As a Catholic I am a complete supporter of President Obama's decision to speak or not. If the morons who run Notre Dame didn't want him there they should not have invited him. Remember that he won the Catholic vote. This means that Catholics do not use tunnel vision in their choices. I support him because he is the most Christian man I have ever seen and heard and because this country desperately needs him. We as a country have been sold out by the last administrations going back to Reagan.
#47 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:09 PM EDTThe hyposcrisy by these "pro-life" priests and people like them on the Christian side is amazing. Obama's track-record on human-rights is far-better than past presidents that they have welcomed with open arms. So trying to save people's lives with stem-cell research is bad, but starting illegal wars, bombing children, and torturing other human beings is good. I'm ashamed sometimes to be affiliated with Christianity because of people like this.
#48 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDTPlease let me ask this question for the thousand time and maybe I can get a logical answer.... Who EVER said believing in a Woman's right to choose not a government body was pro Baby-Killing???? Pro Choice does not equate to Pro Abortion... It simply means it is a woman's CHOICE!!!! I would love to see if the shoe was on the other foot and men were the child bearers how loud would this fight really be!!!!
#49 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDTThis is getting old. Catholic priests have a lot to say about abortion and birth control, both items that don't affect them at all. What about child abuse? Hmmm, maybe they don't regard chasing altar boys as abuse. Well then, what about wife-beating? Cheating on your taxes? Animal abuse? I could go on and on, but the only things I've seen priests get all worked up over is what a woman chooses to do with her body and how often or when she is going to reproduce. What is their fixation?
If they were able to marry and support children of their own, they'd be singing a far different tune, I can assure you.
#50 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:12 PM EDTBut what about the living baby with a beating heart that can be stopped with a simple choice?
And the catholic church wonders why people dont respect them anymore. They sure stood up for their values with this one.
The Catholic church should cease to exist, they are a complete failure.
#51 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDTIf the Catholic Church is so determined to get involved in politics, let's start collecting taxes on all that cash they raise - and tax their property... They're crossing a fine line...
#52 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:16 PM EDTAs a practicing Catholic, I'm against abortion, the death penalty, torture, war, etc., basically the core of the Church teaching. Yes, there have been other presidents that have been pro-death penalty and such invited to Notre Dame to speak, which I disagree with. What people are so up in arms about is that Obama is the most proactive president for the change of abortion regulations, the most appalling, being the regulation that would force all hospitals and doctors to preform abortions, even if it is in direct violation of their conscience. Obama has his right to his opinions, and if people want to listen to him, that's fine, but the biggest problem, I think, is that secular America has forced the idea into our heads that we have to tolerate everything, even if it contradicts our own beliefs. I think that the people protesting Obama speaking at Notre Dame are right in standing up for their beliefs, but they could have done in a little more respectful manner.
#53 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:16 PM EDTNo one can force a Dr. to perform an abortion; that is nonsense.
Thinking Citizen? Hardly, more like Head-up-his-Ass Citizen! The last thing Barrack Obama is is anti-American. Let's see, someone who is against free speech, you think maybe, that might be un-American? @!$%# for brains!
#54 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:17 PM EDTI am not Catholic, but Christian. But what I am, or you are, really doesn't matter. What really matters is what a great man, and the son of God, once said "Let he who is without guilt cast the first stone." That may not be exactly the quote, but it's the way I remember it. While I read some of the comments, I could see the stones flying. Shame! Shame on you!
President Obama should speak and those that don't want to listen can stay home.
#55 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:26 PM EDTSo you are saying that we can never say that someone has done something wrong?If I say Abortion is wrong I am throwing a stone?
Christ compassion urges us to protect the beating heart of unborn babies. Would Jesus allow a fully formed baby to be aborted?
No, I am not saying that you can't say that someone has done something wrong. What I am saying is that we need to be tolerant of people and there different views. Where was the outcry from the Catholic Church when we invaded Iraq? Where was the Catholic Church when the US put people in internment camps during WWII. Why has it taken the Catholic Church so long to finally do something about the clergy who molested children. Com'on, we can all throw stones and you KNOW exactly what I meant by my comment. The church preaches equality, understanding, forgiveness, and send smissonaries around the world to preach his word with tolerance for everyone, except the President of the United States. Please.
If I believe killing someone is wrong where can I find room for tolerance? I am not Catholic, nor a defender of the Catholic Church. I personally believe they have done more to harm Christianity over history then anything. For me this is about Abortion. I just can't get my head around how we find ways to tolerate, accept and excuse the killing of innocent life.
Hello. Your beliefs have nothing to do with the invitation of President Obama to speak to the graduating class of 2009. That is their perogative to ask, just as they have asked many Presidents before, all of whom did not agree with their position on abortion. And it is his perogative to accept. And your perogataive to attend or not or to send your child to school there.
This is a set-up by the Catholic Church. Notre Dame knew President Obama's views on abortion, why would they invite him, unless they wanted this controversy. This STINKS, but everything the Catholic Church does STINK. They are so enraged about the abortion issue that everything else takes a back seat. Makes me wonder if they are afraid they will not have any future little boys for the future priest to molest.
#56 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:26 PM EDTAbortion is not the only problem in this country. Let'em speak and get on with your lives.
#57 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:26 PM EDTUniversities exist in order to encourge discourse and learning. You may or may not agree with a speaker's comments, but you can listen to them and then decide for yourself using the principles of learning that fine educational institutions like Notre Dame instill in their students. Isn't that what a "higher education" is all about? This type of ideological polarization -- exclusively wanting to listen only to the opinions that you personally share, leads to ignorance. Come on! At least listen to what the other side has to say so that you can come up with some snazzy come backs!
#58 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:28 PM EDTThere is nothing self-righteous about disinviting President Obama.
Jesus, after talking to sinners, delivered his "Sermon on the Mount." Notice he didn't invite anyone to be with Him.
"logic" is ND, "Our Lady", doesn't need a speaker who's faith is a work in process. President Obama may have a doctorate in law, but not in theology.
#59 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:37 PM EDTAre you serious? So all the other speakers faith was not a work in process? If not, don't invite them to speak at a Catholic Universithy? Are we not all works in process? Only invite Catholics, only listen to Catholics, eat with Catholics, go to school with Catholics. Those are the seeds of intolerance and wars and all the other troubles the world has today.
I am sure President Barack Obama will not discuss this issue at the graduation and it is a mistake to keep attempting to make it the prevailing issue in life. These decisions will be made by female individuals. President Obama will not be involved in them. If priests, ministers and pastors are involved with these very personal decisions, then that will be in part due of their duties.
President Obamas duty is to be president of the country, not to intrude into personal lives or decisions concerning a womans right to choose. That is after all a matter of law.
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I am a Notre Dame grad. So much for this institution being place of higher learning and tolerance.