Notre Dame is usually described as a prestigious university. Events of the last week have me questioning that description. Some Holy Cross priest/professors together with their flock of close minded students are protesting the right of The President of The United States to speak at their university's commencement. The issue is Obama's views on abortion. The implication to me is that no one who disagrees with the Catholic viewpoint should be allowed on the campus of the esteemed Notre Dame University.
If this protest is successful does it mean that home football games against colleges and universities carrying abortion rights supporters on their squads will be cancelled? Will students who do not pass the abortion litmus test be expelled?
Protesting against abortion is the right of any student or priest. If they insist on making it a stand of their university, then a prestigious university will morph into a prestigious temple.
3 comments:
I think it's a mistake to think that the implication is that "no one who disagrees with the Catholic viewpoint should be allowed on the campus". The controversy (at least for most of the protesters) isn't over whether he should be allowed on campus, it's over whether it's appropriate that he should be singled out to receive some of the university's highest honors (keynote address, honorary diploma). In fact, a number of the objectors have said it would be great to have the president come to campus to participate in some other format (such as a debate, symposium or panel discussion). And in fact, people who disagree with the Catholic viewpoint in one way or another frequently appear at Notre Dame (many are teachers and students there, others are outside visitors).
Sounds like The President of The United States should be treated like a second class citizen.
You are my hero.
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