By lifting the restrictions on federal funding for organizations that promote and provide abortions overseas, as well as lifting the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, and the promise to implement the Freedom of Choice Act, President Obama has established himself as the most pro-abortion president in history.

The move, by University of Notre Dame officials has alumni, pro-life, groups and the local bishop sharply responding.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) established a written policy in 2004 that says pro-abortion politicians “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions” from any Catholic organization. At least one bishop tends to honor that.

The local ranking ecclesiastic, Bishop John D’Arcy, will not be in attendance at the graduation ceremony this year. "President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred," D'Arcy said. "While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life."

Alumnus and D.C. attorney William Newton wrote the university to say he is deeply offended at the university's decision and vividly portrayed the image of Obama giving the address against the backdrop of things of a much different nature: “This is the person that you feel is worthy to address the students and faculty of Notre Dame, in the shadow of Our Lady atop the Golden Dome, with the spires of the Basilica in the background?”

The Cardinal Newman Society launched www.notredamescandal.com and has already gathered over 60,000 petition signatures, from a posting only 4 days ago, opposing Obama’s appearance.

But the White House sees this as an opportunity, and probably feather in their cap, and issued this statement: "While he is honored to have the support of millions of people of all faiths, including Catholics with their rich tradition of recognizing the dignity of people, he does not govern with the expectation that everyone sees eye to eye with him on every position," the White House said. "[T]he spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues is part of what he loves about this country."

University President Rev. John I. Jenkins said in a written statement that the invitation to the president does not necessarily mean that the university agrees with all of Obama’s positions. But the university also plans to given Obama an honorary doctor of law degree; this would certainly lead to the notion that at least the university officials must be personally in favor of Obama’s policies.

Jenkins further added that the appearance could be used as a “basis for further positive engagement.” In a bit of a non sequitur he added, "It is of special significance that we will hear from our first African-American president, a person who has spoken eloquently and movingly about race in this nation. Racial prejudice has been a deep wound in America, and Mr. Obama has been a healer."

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Lee said:

Exposing the Anti-Christ abortionists within the Church This audacious move by people running Notre Dame,(Our Lady), University brings out the liars and the the deceivers into the open. The church has been infiltrated by anti-Christians, New Agers and haters of Christ, or worse, those who put political personality above principle- the politician! Robert Welch once expounded upon the audacity of the "Insiders" and of the "Insiders'" servile followers, that they would take ever more audacious steps toward their goals. We too much be just as willing to come out into the open arena and be counted upon to defend the principles of liberty with equal or greater audacity. Those who are entering now or are thinking about getting involved need to look to The John Birch Society for leadership since this organization will give you direction that is morally sound, legal and produces results.

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March 25, 2009
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Lee said:

Can't see the trees for the forest Mr.L says: "... Times have changed. Isn't it time for the church to soften the anti-abortion rhetoric and focus... on poverty, hunger, race relations, immigration or economic development?" Mr.L, shouldn't the Church be obiedient to Christ more so than to mould herself to current trends and financial times? MaryD says: "Nice to know the "church" values the life of microscopic embryos over that of a living, breathing 10 year old girl..." You have it backwards Ms. MaryD, the Catholic Church is not here to bend to your needs. The church is being loyal to Christ's teaching that life begins at the moment of conception. God said that He knew you before the world was formed. How dare you assume to place yourself above God. How ignorant and utterly arrogant of you to pretend to start telling God that His creation of the human beign in the "microscopic" embryonic stage is not worth your love and consideration! How dare you assume to place yourself above great theologians and Church Fathers of the Church and to brush aside over two thousand years of Church teachings. You behave as an embecilic worshiper of a politician and not a Christian. Your statement that one tiny life in a mother's womb is not a human being worthy of God's love and protection is proof that you never learned a thing in catechism! You have free choice in which Church you choose to join. I don't know about what position Obama's minister took regarding the murder of the innocents in the "microscopic" stage of life, but I do know that Obama just sent more US troops to Afhanistan to kill and to be killed! Does that demonstrate to you that he values the " life -- the life of people currently alive and living in pain -- and he would like to improve those lives?"

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March 25, 2009
Votes: +13

Warren the writer said:

... Quote from Mr L: "Times have changed. Isn't it time for the church to soften the anti-abortion rhetoric and focus on bigger human issues, like poverty, hunger, race relations, immigration or economic development?" Mr. L, Suppose you lived in Germany in 1944. Would you have advocated that the Church "soften" its anti-Holocaust rhetoric and focus on "bigger human issues"? What is "bigger" than stopping the systematic slaughter of human beings? Ensuring a chicken in every pot, perhaps?

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March 25, 2009
Votes: -1

Jim Grisham said:

	... I want to add my anger at Notre Dame University for inviting the country's chief abortion, partial-birth abortion, and embryonic stem cell research (embryonic trafficking). Notre Dame has lost credibility by inviting this Marxist President to speak at commencement. The word "Catholic" should no longer be used to describe Notre Dame. They're Catholic when it's convenient.
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March 25, 2009
Votes: +10

Tom W said:

	Notre Dame is a liberal school As a Catholic, I'm very disappointed in Notre Dame. There is no way a Catholic university which is supposed to be pro-life should allow obama to come speak. The only reason obama should be allowed to set foot on Notre Dame is to give his confession and to repent for his sin of killing the unborn child
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March 25, 2009
Votes: +7

Lee said:

University of Notre Dame ===Notre Dame University Wow, Thank you Irish 93 for correcting me on the correct way to address the issue of an avowed abortionist to speak at Catholic University. You pointed out an very important issue that is far more important than protecting innocent babies- putting university in before of Our Lady and not after like I mistakenly did. I beg your forgiveness for my carelessness. Will you forgive me?

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March 26, 2009
Votes: +2

lawrence e. macleod said:

	NOTRE DAME AND PRES. OBAMA. I AM VERY UPSET THAT REV. JOHN JENKINS HAS INVITED THE PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY. SHAME ON HIM AND THE UNIVERSITY. PRESIDENT IS ALL PRO CHOICE. HAS NO RESPECT FOR THE UNBORN CHILD . AS A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY HOW CAN YOU DO THIS. OUR BLESSED MOTHER MUST BE SHEDDING MANY TEARS. JESUS PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON US WE HAVE FAILED YOU AGAIN
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April 03, 2009
Votes: +2

Sadanie said:

President Obama is NOT pro-abortion! Contrary to what the extreme blue nose in the Catholic Church would have us believe, President Obama is NOT pro-abortion. He is PRO-CHOICE! There is a huge difference! I am also a Catholic, and as such, I wouldn't choose to have an abortion. However, I respect the right of women to choose, and so does President Obama. God has given all men (and women!!!) free will. Who are we, who are the Bishops, to over-rule God's will?

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April 04, 2009
Votes: +1

Constance & Gaspar La Sala said:

Rev. John Jenkins is right to invite President Barack Obama We are 80 and 81 year old Catholics who support Rev. John Jenkins President's decision to invite President Barack Obama and honor him with an honorary degree and urge him to be unwavering in this decision. The "fire alam" issue of abortion should not be the only concern that Catholics have to address. What about social justice which is Jesus' message throughout his ministry....let us not forget the poor among us, let us not forget loving one another .... no matter of race or religion. Let our teaching authoritarians, bishops, instruct the Catholic community of the message of Jesus....love one another, pray for one another. What we see coming out of this controversy is only hate. It is easy to be a Catholic....it is most difficult to be a true Christian....we don't see too many Christians in the Catholic Church Constance & Gaspar La Sala

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April 13, 2009 | url
Votes: +0