By: Abu Abdullah al-Nakhli
Catholics state that this is a blatant violation of the 2004 order issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops stating that Roman Catholic institutions should not honor figures whose public stances violate church teachings – which in this case is the pro-abortion stances that the president takes.
A separate graduation ceremony will be held by those who refuse to attend the one where Obama is speaking at. Reverend Frank Pavone stated: “Some of the seniors are boycotting the commencement, they don’t want to be part of that ceremony.”
Senior Emily Toates said: “I do not feel comfortable going and celebrating him as the university hands him an honorary degree – in a sense honoring his policies.”
Greer Hannan said: “It’s not a political issue; this is an issue of human dignity, and it’s a Catholic issue. As a Catholic university, we need to stand up for it.”
Rev. John Yanta, former bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo sent a letter to Notre Dame’s president stating that he can no longer support the university because of this decision.
Protests have been emerging as well. 19 people, including Alan Keyes, a former Republican presidential hopeful and Roman Catholic priest, were arrested after they stormed onto the campus protesting Obama’s commencement speech. This is the third Friday in a row where people have been detained for such actions.
