A lot has been made about the commencement speech to be delivered by President Obama at the University of Notre Dame this weekend. At the center of the issue is the stance Obama has on abortion, and how it conflicts with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Many protests were planned and carried out outside of the university, as well as an alternative commencement ceremony held at the Grotto on the campus grounds. This controversy has given us a good chance to explore multiple issues at once.
Presidential invitations: It might seem odd that I start off with this issue first, but I think it highlights an issue of personal and professional courtesy that has been missing in our society, especially towards those that don’t share your view on the issues. It is a rare event that a President pays a visit to your campus, even if your school is a federal academy. A perfect example is the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Since its founding in 1943, no sitting President ever attended the graduating ceremonies of the Midshipmen who would be entering the military or commercial industry. This changed in 2006 when President Bush spoke to the graduating class. It took 63 years for the Commander-in-Chief to honor his future troops.
On the other hand, Notre Dame has had numerous Presidents grace her grounds during the same period of time: Eisenhower in 1960, Carter in 1977, Reagan in 1981, George H.W. Bush in 1992, George W. Bush in 2001, and now Obama in 2009. Even if you do not agree with the President on key issues, you should be honored and respectful when a sitting President chooses to attend your ceremonies. Most students never experience such an event.
Protests: As I wrote last year, there is a time and place to protest. During a naturalization ceremony last year, members of Code Pink interrupted a speech made by President Bush to a crowd of new citizens of the United States. Expressing my disappointment with the protestors, I wrote, “How would these individuals feel if people came and protested at their wedding ceremonies or college graduations?” Today, about four people interrupted President Obama during his speech at the graduation ceremony.
This is disrespectful to all the students who spent years studying and working hard to achieve their goals. Just as the Code Pink protestors were discourteous to those who were being honors, these protestors were just as discourteous. To reference the Bible, Matthew 7:12 states, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” As I told the protestors a year ago, these individuals owe the students an apology.
Abortion: At the heart of the debate was the Presidents stance on abortion, and that the school was preparing to award him with an honorary degree. Obama has voted against bills preventing partial-birth abortions and has voiced support for embryonic stem cell research, a process that can destroy a viable embryo during the process. These positions run counter to the position of the Catholic Church that views abortion as “the deliberate killing of an innocent human being” (Pope John Paul II). Regarding embryonic stem cell research, the Pope said, “Experience is already showing how a tragic coarsening of consciences accompanies the assault on innocent human life in the womb, leading to accommodation and acquiescence in the face of other related evils such as euthanasia, infanticide and, most recently, proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process.”
With the University honoring someone who holds such an opposing position on issues like abortion and embryonic stem cell research, many Catholics feel that the school is showing acceptance of a practice that they feel is immoral. In fact, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated in 2004 that, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” By giving Obama and honorary degree, the University of Notre Dame is defying that guideline.
Poll: Interestingly enough, the Gallup organization released their annual poll results on abortion this week. For the first time in the 15-year history of the poll, a majority of Americans identify themselves as Pro-life (51%) rather than Pro-Choice (42%). The stance held when asked if abortion should be legal under all (23%), some (53%), or no (22%) circumstances. This increased national belief in the respect for life places the majority of the respondents at odds with the President on this highly controversial issue.
In my heart, I find abortion to be a horrible practice. To deny an innocent soul the chance to live has to be one darkest actions anyone could make. However, in my mind I know there are times where abortions might be necessary. If a pregnant woman has a high risk of death or injury as a result of carrying a child to full term, I believe the woman has the right to save her life and have an abortion. Additionally, if a woman becomes impregnated as a result of rape or incest, the negative long-term emotional and psychological health impact would be enough for me to accept her decision to abort the child. This decision is not an easy one for a mother, and it will be something that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. And just as I would be upset in my heart over the act, I know that the woman would not have made the decision lightly and had a serious reason to go through with the procedure.
I believe many of the 53% of the poll respondents who said they think abortion should be legal in certain circumstances hold a similar belief as I do. This “silent majority” often is overlooked in the abortion debate. On the left, you have people who believe abortion should be available for all women at any time, while those on the right feel that abortion should not be available at all. What is frustrating is that I’m sure everyone (even on the left and right) wishes that the need for abortions would become history. The problem is that they two sides cannot agree on the path to that goal. Hopefully, however, the debate over the Notre Dame graduation ceremony will help bring these different sides together to work on a way to achieving the noble goal of reducing the need for abortions.
Related articles:
United States Merchant Marine Academy – “President Bush Will Deliver Commencement Address”
Gallup – “More Americans ‘Pro-Life’ Than ‘Pro-Choice’ for First Time”
American Catholic – “Pope John Paul II Addresses President Bush”
University of Notre Dame – “Notre Dame Commencement Speakers”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – “Catholics in Political Life”
UPI – “Poll: Majority identify as ‘pro-life’”
The New York Times – “Obama, and Protests, at Notre Dame”
USA Today – “Obama heads to Notre Dame”
WSJV TV – “19 arrested at ND”
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“Hopefully, however, the debate over the Notre Dame graduation ceremony will help bring these different sides together to work on a way to achieving the noble goal of reducing the need for abortions.”
And that's basically what Obama said. I agree with a lot in this post. Nice post.
Thanks Brian.
There is much in the President's Address that mirrors my view and I'm sure many others. “Anything” is possible if people look for the common ground. Unfortuantely, we often let partisanship get in the way of progress.