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Catholics United Defends Its Performance in Obama/Notre Dame Controversy

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I had an abortion and yes the students have the right to not attend and the issue is more -President Obama uses our tax dollars-out of my paycheck and (I am a college instructor single Mom of 5 children) to give money to outside foreign countries to defend abortion???-this is more -Obamas also at Gerogetown wanted a depiction of Jesus covered? please -are you a woman? have you ever felt the effects of an abortion and the depression that promotes death? You can not equate going to war to defend a country in te same way as unneccesary killing as a form of birth control.
The students welcomed Obama to come to a Town Hall meeting and debate issues-but to honor the most anti-Christian president that the country has ever had- and Notre Dame means "Our Lady"-or don't most people understand that-what hypocrisy.

Jackie Cotter of WI 1:23PM May 15, 2009

As a Catholic student, I feel that the Catholic reaction to this issue only contributes to the anti-Catholic sentiment felt by the public. Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama to speak at Notre Dame is an honor for the University and for the graduating students of the class. To react so vehemently opposed to Obama for his stance on the abortion movement is as close-minded as those who did NOT protest President Bush's commencement speech after his inauguration. After all, Bush was governor of the state with the highest rate of the death penalty in the nation. If Catholics are to sit on their high horse to condemn President Obama, they should look then at who they truly support. After all, starting an unnecessary war goes both against the Pope and Catholic doctrine as well. If Catholics are to proclaim themselves as "pro-life" then they must look at all sides of this title...because pro-life means life for all, including those on death row, which Republicans do not support. Instead of rejecting every speaker for every point of view in the world, Catholics should look at the purpose of any speaker at a commencement ceremony, and thus feel honored to have our new president speak.

Chanel of MD 11:03AM May 14, 2009

A word for the US Taliban: mind your own business. This is a day for the students of Notre Dame and not your pet project to get more publicity.

Greg of CT 4:34PM May 06, 2009

This "controversy" is much ado about nothing, 100% POLITICALLY MOTIVATED and more of the same manufactured outrage for which conservatives are famous. The Catholic Church has little business casting stones. I'm Catholic and yet I admit my Church is corrupt to the core. I am pro-life, but this is not the point. It is right to state our beliefs; it's wrong to expect everyone else to agree. There is no reason why Obama shouldn't speak or accept the degree. Every other recent President has done so, and none of them accepted all of the Church's teachings.
Some will say that abortion is the most important teaching. Perhaps, but there's much more to being pro-life than just preaching anti-abortion. The American Catholic Church is obsessed with abortion, and for that reason, they seek to bring down any/all powerful liberals while throwing themselves at the feet of Republicans (such as Bush, who only claims to care about the issue once every four years when pandering for votes). Our country has and will continue to pay the price for this unholy POLITICAL alliance.
The hypocrisy/hysteria must stop. The invitation was extended and accepted. Notre Dame should be gracious and welcome Obama warmly. For those who wish to challenge his views, they should invite him back for an on-campus debate. Unlike our former Prez, he will welcome the debate and not call them evil or Anti-American if they disagree with him.

Mia of FL 4:31PM April 05, 2009

The gates of Hell will not prevail over the Church.The world has always been the same. It likes to create an atmosphere of importance through dignitaries at ceremonies and it likes to push things to come to pass -- out of the logic that it is inevitable, ie. the Hiroshima bomb decision-making that Truman confronted, ie., progress is inevitable, the Space Shuttle mission should not be scraped., etc..
I think we should invite the Holy Spirit to the Commencement Exercises at ND since it will come to pass that Obama will speak there (that is just the way the world works), perhaps so that the arm of the Trinity will be present and speak too. Our Lady should receive an invitation also so that her presence can model charity to the First Lady who will most likely attend.
I think what is confusing about this situation is that while Obama campaigned and, earlier, he associated himself with organizations and causes that do not have the Catholic view, the context and content may be different for him speaking at ND. If ND intends the Catholic view to be manifested at commencement by a prestigous speaker, than they are making a mistake by inviting Obama, and should replace him with a bishop who could inspire, or even broach the topic of abortion and remind the graduating domers how crucial a topic it is. If ND intends a world view to be assummed by its students, then Obama might fill that bill adequately.
ND has taken a world view on many things in the development of their school, ie. worldly football, worldly basketball, worldly endowments, worldly superstitions about Football Jesus and Hail Mary's being applied to a violent sport that rattles athletes brains, worldly Irish (St. Patrick's Day) pride as a reason to get drunk, other sexual sins that occur on college campuses, and worldly Church ethics taught by the likes of McBrien.
It is up to ND to choose between what they want manifested at their university on that day. But people in the Church and the world should not be surprised if a worldly tack is taken on who ND invites.
Aw, for the heck of it. Jesus should be invited by all the Domers who should attend Mass that day anyway. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the world.

Mark G. Miller of IL 12:22AM April 05, 2009

I personally see myself as a Catholic 1st and a citizen of the world second. I am subject to God's Law first, then man's. If you are a true Catholic/Christian your life revolves around God. Notre Dame is a CATHOLIC university, therefore, it should uphold Catholic Doctrine. If Obama was for atheism, I wouldn't have a problem...abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia, and the death penalty have to do with taking a life....that's something no amount of inter-religious dialogue or ecumenism can put to rest; it is one of our core beliefs and should be treated as such when a person who goes against those ore beliefs speaks at a Catholic University!!! Come on...renewed stem cell research and FOCA, he obviously doesn't see life in an embryo or fetus. Notre Dame's allowing/asking him to speak is like agreeing to his platform on one of our most deeply felt beliefs and doctrines.
As it is said in Revelation:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Chace Olinger of IN 10:00AM March 30, 2009

The question is this: do most American catholics see themselves as catholics first or Americans first? Do they abide by the changing rules imposed on them from whomever happens to be sitting in the Vatican or do they abide by the rules imposed on them by officials elected by Americans? They may harp about God's law, but these are men, and ONLY men, who translate God's law to them. And the GREAT LIE has been revealed as such. These men and their interpretations ARE NOT infallible. Catholicism must see it's end in the United States; it is incompatible with the governance of a democratic republic. Long live Galileo!

Aaron of IN 4:21PM March 29, 2009

Do we live what we believe? Or do we only say we are believers? We are called to stand for what is right, according to God's word. That does not mean we should hate those who believe differently. But it does not mean that a Catholic University should honor anyone who supports killing unborn babies.
Abortion is not supported by the Catholic faith. If you call yourself 'Catholic', you embrace Catholic doctrine. We do not have a menu-driven faith where we can pick and choose which things we follow and which things we don't agree with. If you only agree with 80% or 90% of the faith you practice, you've created a variance, or watered-down version of God's Will.
Presidents can speak at universities. But honoring anyone who stands so firmly against a fundamental teaching of the Catholic faith (Life), is wrong.

Mary T. of MI 12:10PM March 29, 2009

tikiboo of IL wrote: He who is without sin cast the first stone. For goodness sakes some people are acting like he is going to perform an abortion on stage.
Ha ha. That line did make me smile. ;)

Darcy Grant of IN 11:46PM March 28, 2009

President Obama is a Christian, but not Roman Catholic. Why must he, the President of the United States, drop his beliefs and his faith in order to speak at Notre Dame (speak as the President, not as a 'religious')?
Obama is President of all American Citizens, whether they are Catholic, or Jewish or Budists, etc. agnostic or athiest. He is not a religious leader, he is a governmental leader.
Why all this hatred directed at a man who, by all accounts, lives his religious faith, is a devoted family man, highly honest and ethical in all his dealings?
As a Roman Catholic I respect the beliefs of others (the Seventh Day Adventists were at the door just today, I was pleasant and respectful.. they have different beliefs from me but they are good people and very devoted to their faith). I also expect others to respect my beliefs. But I don't want people of another faith forcing their beliefs on me, and I refuse to force my beliefs on others. I will gladly tell them about my faith, but there are many, many good people who aren't Roman Catholic. Being a Catholic and flinging hatred and nastiness at those, even, who are of other mainstream religious beliefs is NOT living your Roman Catholic faith.
Loose the hatefulness. It's not Catholic and it's not Christian, and nowwhere did Christ teach this indolent, intolerant behavior.

Anne of FL 8:10PM March 28, 2009