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Notre Dame President Does The Right Thing in Refusing to Buckle to Pro-Life Pressure Over Obama Invite


Statement of Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
March 27, 2009

Our nation was founded on religious tolerance and the separation of church and state. People of all faiths and no faith are citizens of this country. The protest against President Obama speaking at Notre Dame because of his views on abortion and stem cell research shows a weak understanding of the nature of our democracy and an intolerance for diverse viewpoints. It’s unacceptable that so-called pro-life groups should try to set the agenda for a noble academic institution.

I congratulate the Reverend John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, for refusing to back down on the invitation. His comment that the invitation does not imply condoning of specific positions affirms the vision of the United States as a place where people of all backgrounds and points of view can live together peacefully.

In a statement issued Monday, Reverend Jenkins said Obama will be honored as an "inspiring leader" at the commencement. "Of course, this does not mean we support all of his positions," Jenkins said. "The invitation to President Obama to be our Commencement speaker should not be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life, including abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Yet, we see his visit as a basis for further positive engagement."

We may never agree on the issue of whether abortion should be legal but Reverend Jenkins has it right that dialogue can bring understanding.

President Obama will be the sixth U.S. president to speak at a Notre Dame commencement. He will also be the ninth U.S. president to receive an honorary degree from the university.