What do you think of Notre Dame inviting President Obama to give the commencement address at their graduation ceremony?

Before THIS, I couldn't believe so many Catholics VOTED for Obama. Moral opposition aside, politically, abortion has become the litmus test for any presidential candidate. Yet in this election, astounding to me, only occasional veiled references were made about his stand. And more astounding to me, there was no outrage from Catholics, nor from any other religions who profess to be against abortion. "La de da"....off to the polls they went. Now who has the right to complain when a Catholic university invites him to speak? Not those who voted for him ! Unfortunately, this may be only a small "blip" on the radar. What lies ahead?
From what I've read and learned from my college-aged grandchildren, I am greatly disturbed at the blatant propaganda foisted upon students by college professors with an agenda. We should all become more aware and more proactive ! The "times are a-changin' " and if we keep averting our eyes, one day they will be opened. Sorry for the drmatic, "scary" talk but I really fear for our future.

Notre Dame has long been losing its Catholic identity, so while this is no real surprise, it is still a huge insult considering this "Catholic" university is named in honor of the Mother of Our Lord. This is an example of why it is easier for many young people to lose their Faith at so-called Catholic colleges than secular ones. It is no surprise to have your Faith undermined by secular humanists at non-Catholic colleges...but when it happens at a school that touts itself as Catholic...well, it would just be more intellectually honest for schools such as Notre Dame to stop referring to themselves as Catholic. I think all Catholic schools (elementary to university) should make an annual oath of fidelity to the Magesterium like Christendom College does.

I think the people who accuse ND of losing its Catholic identity should come spend some time on campus. As someone who is here at least 6 days a week, I disagree wholeheartedly.

This response from Notre Dame Law prof. Rick Garnett is perfect, I think: http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2009/03/more-on-commencement-speakers-response-to-rob.html

This particular paragraph is key: "I am quite put off by the "Christendom College is the only way to go! Notre Dame sux! No real Catholics go to Notre Dame" crowd's reaction to all this. If you decided long ago that the future of the Church is the catacombs, and that the future and mission of Notre Dame is not worth contributing to, then why is Notre Dame's (mistaken) decision here something even worth your notice? "

I am outraged and all who are Catholic Should be up in arms about this~ Just as they should have been when this "Catholic" University brought the Vagina Monologues onto campus!

Outraged, disapointed;YES; surprised? NO.

For Layla~

I have been to Notre Dame. The facilicity is beautiful, there are holy places a plenty and there are holy people there. This school, inparticular, along with other "Catholic" school this important thing. . ."LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION". The administration of these schools are to stand in the stead of parents and teach "THE TRUTH"!

My daughter attends another "Catholic" university. She asks EVERY professor if they have signed the Mandatum. IF they say, "what's that?" she report them to the administration and the local bishop. She will only take classes from those that teach the TRUTH.

While I know very little about Notre Dame other than these days it seems to be more about sports than about God, I know that it was once a true Catholic college. If I were looking for a Catholic coolege to send my children to, I would be checking the Newman (sp) list. Is Notre Dame on it? All in all, I am disappointed they are giving Obama a degree, and inviting him to speak at commencement. Giving him a chance to speak otherwise would be ok...just not the way they are, and an honorary degree should go to someone who upholds the beliefs professed by the Church.

I'm amazed that at least 21 people that took this vote (and I would guess, regularly visit this site), support this decision. Very Interesting.
You can NOT be Catholic and pro choice! You just can't! There are tons of others who I believe would be worthy to make this commencement speech..
People can NOT have it both ways!

Nancy -

We might support the president and be pro-life. Just like we'd support a Republican and be anti-war.

Nancy, what makes you think we are pro-choice if we support our president and believe he has many worthwhile contributions to make ... one of them as a commencement speaker at Notre Dame?

One reason I scarcely ever visit this site is the lack of tolerance for differences. Thank God our Church is bigger than the fundamentalist views presented here.

I don't see why there is such a big to-do about Obama (being pro-choice) and his commencement speech vs. GWB (being pro-death penalty) when he did his commencement speech at ND. I don't recall hearing anything about when GWB did the commencement speech, so now why is it a big deal since Obama is doing it? They both hold views that contradict the Church's teachings. If anybody can enlighten me, please do.

mom of one, Do you really not see the difference between being pro-choice and being pro-death penalty? And there were protests about Bush when he spoke at Notre Dame too. Just not this intense because Obama is about as anti-Catholic as they come.

I think its important to remember what being Christians and being Catholic also means in a sense that are we not also supposed to love our brother and sisters for who they are. I am Catholic and I do not believe in pro-choice. I did not vote for Obama and do not agree with what he believes or the choices he is making for this country. But as Jesus did are we not supposed to sit with the tax collectors and sinners, etc. and love them and teach them as well. Is this an opportunity for us to do just that?

I think we can respect our President as our President, but we don't have to support him, and as Catholics we certainly shouldn't have voted for him. Abortion needs to be stopped and it needs to have our utmost attention, especially when we have an election. It needs to be THE topic that we vote on. We cannot put other gods before our God. Putting the economy, views on war and the healthcare system ahead of the value of human life is morally wrong. And as Catholics, we should in no way support Obama at any of our Catholic Universities or schools in general. My kids go to a Catholic elementary school and they have come home talking about Obama and I cringe because I don't know what they are saying about him in school. I think a discussion of the facts of what he's doing in office is OK, but my children know that we don't support him because of his lack of respect for human life (and they are young too). It's important that we communicate with our children, even when they are in college, to make sure they know that our Catholic values stay ahead of any, ANY, secular values that may be taught elsewhere. It's sad to say, but even though we have Catholic institutions, we have to make sure that our values are being upheld, just like we try to make sure that our political leaders are going to protect our freedom of speech that so many died for. We have had many martyrs in our fight for Christianity too and it's disrespectful to forget them and ignore those values that they fought so hard to uphold.