Religion & Law

I was waiting for Rick to comment on this story but I guess I'll jump in. As an alumnus of Notre Dame, I don't think I can adequately express my opposition to Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama. The decisions to award honorary degrees and to invite commencement speakers are important statements that define an institution. Given President Obama's actions in his first few months in office with regard to the life issues, it is hard to imagine a Catholic university honoring him in this way. The decision creates confusion about Church teaching. If it is acceptable for Notre Dame (the leading Catholic university in the country) to honor someone who has taken the actions President Obama has taken on the life issues, then lots of people will be  confused about what the Church teaches on the life issues. Even if they are not confused, they will (wrongly) think that the Church teaching on abortion (and other life issues) must not be terribly important.

It is to be hoped that the University will rescind these decisions, although I am not terribly optimistic that that will happen.  

Richard M.