An Open Letter to Notre Dame

Again with the Catholic litmus test. It reminds me why I left the faith. I am personally pro-life, but I don't judge everyone in the world on where they stand on the issue. This diminishes Mary Ann Glendon and Catholicism in general, not Obama.

Ambassador Glendon's letter is selective about which Catholic principles move her to action. To claim President Obama's appearance at the Notre Dame graduation was contrary to basic Catholic principle's neglects her shared complicity in the Catholic Church's culpability in events like the Spanish Inquisition, the genocide perpetrated on the native people of North & South America under the guise of spreading the "Word" and the Church's hunger for gold and control of the new world. In more contemporary times examples of the Church's betrayal of mankind include the Holocaust and the recent shame of priest abuse of children in which all levels of Church hierarchy was determined to quell and keep under wraps.
The nationwide cost of the abuse scandal itself will exceed $2 billion and will be paid by weekly collections at each parish in the US.

Where are her statements condemning the "atrocities"? Does she have any history of public or private statements condemning these acts against humanity?

President Obama's support of a woman's choice is based on his and most Americans' belief in the freeedom of the individual. While no one condones abortion, neither should anyone claim to have the right to decide for someone else the authority to dictate this decision to another citizen. I wish Ambassador Glendon would reflect on the practicality of the right wing position that no abortion be legal or permitted. While claiming to stand for "personal freedom and responsibility" this position establishes or supports neither.

I applaud Ms. Glendon for being true to her beliefs and principles. What a role model! The world definitely needs more of this courageous spirit. I sense a sadness, not anger, in her words. Her critics may never understand this type of principled thought and action. That they will someday understand it, and ultimately embrace it...therein lies the best hope for this world.

Interesting forum....but, my understanding re: the Catholic faith is that God is in control...not man. Hence, God has chosen President Obama to speak & "other's" to not speak. God's plan...not man's. It is not for people to decide what God has chosen...for believer's of the Catholic faith...it is for them to accept....even blindly...that this is God's will. The only real points that I have gleaned from the numerous posts is their are many Catholics who have less faith than God ask....it appears they believe man is in control....

I applaud Ms. Glendon for being true to her beliefs and principles. What a role model! The world definitely needs more of this courageous spirit. I sense a sadness, not anger, in her words. Her critics may never understand this type of principled thought and action. That they will someday understand it, and ultimately embrace it...therein lies the best hope for this world.

This is the most succinct response to this unfortunate invitation I have read so far. It is devoid of emotion, it is cogent and it is a wonderful example of Catholic expectation. As expressed by the author, it is not the invitation to speak, but rather the presentation of an honorary degree that, as it provides legitimacy to the presentation, denigrates our Catholic beliefs and mores. Discussion and contoversy is an excellent forum for such a wonderful university. Legitimizing the presentation is not. Let him present his views but let's not legitimize the speech by bestowing on our president an honorary degree. It is important for hm to express his views at a major university *** Notre Dame. But is is another thing to acknowledge his views with an honorary degree.

I thought that folks that have religion might also consider having tolerance for other opinions...I guess they do if the other opinions agree with their own. This type of attitude and behavior is the crux of terrorism also - not saying that she's a terrorist, but her thought process is similar in that if you don't think like me than you must be wrong...so glad I'm Jewish - and I voted for Obama and I think he's doing a very good job so far...

Religion is about love - why so much hate and separatism from folks that say they have religion...maybe re-read the bible...

Oddly, Bush and Chaney's war and 4500 young men and women killed in battle, (mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers raising the orphaned) along with 20, 000 maimed, doesn't even merit a nod from these so-called Christians....Let's us ex-Catholics grieve and mourn for the lives of these young, brave children who lived, fought and died, while the hypocrisy
runs rampant through the 'medal ceremony'.....

As a graduate of Notre Dame, I am outraged about outcry for The President of the United States coming to our beautiful campus. When I attended our fine university, students were encouraged to discuss all topics openly. I strongly believe the church is wrong on several issues. I may not agree with President Obama on many issues, I do respect the position. He is the President of the United States. He was elected and we should respect the postion. This is an oppurtunity to show the world that Notre Dame is open to debate all issues. Every President has had issues that were contrary to Catholic dogma. By this standard, there are very few people that would be able to speak or attend Notre Dame. Many priest knew about scandals of the church and kept quiet. Remember, President Obama represents the office that allows us to challenge our beliefs. Most Americans do support stem cell research, contraception, and the death penalty. Should they be denied a chance to speak at any universtiy. Open discussion is key to any society and to Notre Dame. The outrage should be that we are debating an oppourtunity for the President of the United States to address our future leaders.

No wonder the Catholic church is closing Parishes throughout the country. With attitudes like this, who needs those who cannot see/tolerate a different viewpoint ? Obama is working in his way to make America and the World a better place for all, but some cannot see that.

I attended the 2001 ND commencement at which George W. Bush, a proponent of the death penalty, was the speaker. Where was all this Catholic outrage then? It's not OK to abort fetuses, but it is OK to kill actual human beings?

The people condemning ND's invitation to President Obama are an embarrassment to the university. Having the President speak at commencement is an honor regardless of which side of the political aisle he falls on. And if you're so concerned about abortion, maybe you should be voting for people who actually promote the types of social programs that will prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place -- or offer financial options to women who can't afford to raise these precious children you care so much about until they're out of the womb.

But N.D. will award a scholarshiop to any athlete that it can get it's hands on regardless of his religious beliefs. What can you say about an instituion that has a problem with the person who has achieved the highest elected office in the nation speaking to it graduates and receiving a degree but will pay millions of dollars to exploit children who will wear its uniforms and perform on its fields even if they choose to have an abortion?

There is a reason the church has lost its credibility, Holocaust deniers and child molesters, come on in. Mr President, no thanks.

I am a Catholic, a scientist and a physician. We should realize how far astray from Christian principles we have wandered when a priest in South America can excommunicate the mother and a physician who performed an abortion on a 9 year old child pregnant with twins by her stepfather who had raped her from the time she was six. The child would have likely died or had permanent harm from carrying the twins to term. Guess who wasn't excommunicated? That's right, the stepfather.
When are we going to realize that every one of the millions of dollars we spend on antiabortion rhetoric and political opposition instead of on housing, feeding, educating and otherwise promoting peace and prosperity among actual real living children who are starving and turning into suicide bombers because of our indifference and misplaced fanaticism is criminally misspent?

Where was the outrage at the now Popes letter to conference of Bishops in 2001 reminding all Bishops the Papal Letter of 1962 outlinning gude to dealing in the matter of solicitation ( pedophile Priest ) where by the answer would be to transfer pedophile priests to other parishes and to keep secret the nature of the events under the penalty of Excommunication. The very same Pope who just a short time ago came to the USA and spoke of how terrible the abuse was on the churches flock and how he understood our pain. Yet just seven years earlier he was telling the Bishops they could be Excommunicated if they did not keep secret these abuses...

At the end of the day, who cares that she canceled.