The teaching video should present both sides of this issue. Why are a few of the bishops so opposed when the Vatican has taken a more moderate approach and has commented favorably on many of Obama's social justice policies?

By Zola Ingram on 2009-05-08T22:09

Videos representing the Catholic Church should not be polictical videos period, in my opinion. I commend Notre Dame for asking the president to speak. He is a brilliant speaker, with very high family values and extremely caring for the people of this nation and the world. He is making great sacrifices to help people. Only twisted minds have tried to show him as less. Christianity is a very large tent, and in the month of Mary, I personally see no problem in his taking that platform and addressing those students. They will be inspired to hear him. Let those who disapprove leave, but don't deny the rest this moment. It will no doubt be a highlight in their lives. Thanks Notre Dame!

By Judgenot on 2009-05-09T23:38

"He is a brilliant speaker, with very high family values" --Family values like doing nothing for the national day or prayer? --Family values like funding international abortions? --Family values like allowing growing human embryos to be destroyed for research? --Family values like hate crimes legislation that says some crimes of hate are worse than other crimes of hate? Where is the justice in that? --Family values like taking out all funding for abstinence first programs? --Family values like promising to sign the Freedom of Choice Act? --Family values like promoting the overturn of the defense of marriage act?

By davidschmidt on 2009-05-11T11:38

It is very interesting to see the majority of Catholics oppose Notre Dame University conveyance of a degree to President Obama but all the Bishops are in Washington D. C. with their hands out for funds for Religious Schools and for Catholic Charities. Where are the Family Values. Money Talks, start walking. You can't have it both ways

By Luminario on 2009-05-11T19:59

Why would a Catholic University invite an individual with such low morals to convey an honorary degree. Obama represents everything the Catholic Church is against. He is pro abortion, a proponent of murdering the unborn. he is a scum bag with no moral backbone, just a typical democrat. Its about time hat Catholic institutions make a stand and condemn the scum bags rather than associate with them.

By vikingbz on 2009-05-12T13:06

Recently Georgetown University - managed and operated by the Jesuits - had a scheduled visitor who wanted to address the student body and visitors. One of the stipulations was to provide a large area where a large contingent of the student body could listen to the speaker without any distractions. Among many other requests which I am sure included security concerns was to hide, cover or otherwise keep from the public view any and all religious symbols, words, nouns or pronouns pertaining to the Catholic or any other religion. Georgetown complied, "yes sir, yes sir, three bags full." Our esteemed president barack hussein obama spoke at Georgetown University. Now the University of Notre Dame is scheduled to host this same person. I would think that before hosting this person under the same type of conditions, the University would first consider all of the possible repercussions. Alumni support could be affected, student body support could be affected. More importantly is the fact that no single person, no matter who it may be, should be given the accommodation of being given the platform which would be perceived as being above God, Jesus Christ, the Catholic Religion, or the Pope. This is the message that was sent from Georgetown. As a practicing Roman Catholic, I was insulted by this capitulation and immediately sent out emails to all my family, cousins, friends, Catholic and non-Catholic to inform them of this travesty. Who does this person think he is? There is a passage in the Bible from the last supper, where Jesus says to his disciples, (I don't have the correct words so I must paraphrase) ----- one of you will deny me twice before the cock crows. Will the University of Notre Dame be the "second" to deny Jesus Christ ? I truly hope not. University of Norte Dame Core Values The University of Notre Dame is committed to creating and maintaining a principled workplace. As such, the President encourages all faculty and staff to remain committed to the core values of integrity, accountability, teamwork, leadership in mission, and leadership in excellence.

By ACatholic on 2009-05-15T08:32

I just don't know what Notre Dame is thinking. Have him speak? I'm not a big fan of that, but OK. But give him an honorary degree? For what? Not only does he promote a grave sin, he hasn't DONE anything. He's only been in office 100-plus days. How does that, aside from the controversy, merit an honorary doctorate? My idea for students and parents and others in attendance --do not boycott the graduation. Instead, when he speaks, stand up and say the Rosary!

By srossie on 2009-05-15T18:14

I'm a Baptist/Methodist/Christian Thank God for the Catholic

By baseball on 2009-05-15T22:36

Though not a Catholic, I support the stand the Catholic Church has taken on many of these moral issues. I have 3 children who were candidates for abortion but their biological mothers chose Life. It is hard for me to understand the thought processes of these universities leaders, inviting President Obama with his known stance on such important issues.

By Bart Foster on 2009-05-15T23:13

Thank God for the administrators at Notre Dame for having Barack Obama speak, to openly face disagreements and a difference in ideas. No good can come from nurturing the negative feelings expressed by extremist(either side).

By jermckeen on 2009-05-18T17:13

Christianity maybe a very large tent...but the concept of abortion or for supporters of abortion would no doubt find itself/themselves outside looking in...the tent is being filled (daily) with 55 million and counting aborted babies...dancing on the moral head of a pin by looking away can only lead to a fall on immoral grounds. Allowing a person to be honored, who signed legislation in Illinois that allows "botched" aborted babies (survivors of our modern day holocaust) to be allowed to lay alone, in a sterile room, untill the very breath God gave them struggles, labors and slows eventually to a stop, has to be wrong. You would have to question ones values (human or otherwise) who writes legislation like that. At what point does the thought of that not bother you...that is the time to leave the tent...this should be an easy one for even people with questionable moral character - even people who are witness and perform these acts might be sqeamish... All the great speeches cannot change our President and "his" followers views - you either have blood or your hands or not - campaign promise or not...we should remind our families, leaders (political or otherwise) and friends know - that eternity is a long time...what we do on earth while we are still breathing has lasting consequences - consequences for non believers are an increasing tally of destroyed lives - consequeces for the believer is more difficult - you not only deal with what the non-believers see but you will eventually find out what condoning this behaivor will bring at judgement - Christ will be forgiving - he may even forgive supporters of abortions for the first 55,000,000 million babies - but at what point does the tent get closed for each of you thinking/knowing in your own mind that something is wrong and looking the other way and allowing it to continue - or if you are a great orator, using your talent and not speaking up against it? In my mind it would have to be difficult for a man like our President to have witnessed the miracle of birth and the joys of his own children's daily lives then to write legislation to deny those joys to others - Are this real Christian values? Is it any wonder he has publically told world leaders we are not a Christian based nation. Notre Dame, Father Jenkins, the University Registrar and the Board of Trustees should have done their homework - F is their grade - with the chance for a D for extra credit if they can make "a" choice that they are either a Catholic University or drifting to a more secular school and stop hiding behind the reputation of being the US's premier Catholic College.

By friskcpa on 2009-05-18T19:14

"There are none so blind as those who will not see

By slaughteroftheinnocents on 2009-05-20T04:39

"There are none so blind as those who will not see

By slaughteroftheinnocents on 2009-05-20T04:39

I think the teachable moment has passed. Bringing this up again now would seem too much like rehashing old wounds. The chance to speak up was before Obama spoke, or during his speech. Now it's done and past, and we have other work to attend to for the glory of Christ. Dwelling on this scandal will only push those promoting it to entrench themselves in their position and make Catholics look petty and unforgiving - and that would be a scandal in itself. But thank you to all the people who missed the Notre Dame ceremony to protest! You did our faith a service. And this would have been a great idea, but needed to have been tackled faster than was probably realistic. I don't think CatholicVote.org is yet in a position to respond to current, developing issues in a timely way.

By Ethelde on 2009-05-27T22:44

The President of the United States deserves respect for the office he holds. He is not, however, entitled to request that the very symbol of a Catholic University (Georgetown) be covered so that he can speak there. He should have been politely told to find another place to give his speech. In addition, because his position on abortion is counter to the most important doctrine of the Catholic faith, respect for life itself, he should not be invited to speak at a Catholic University, nor given an honorary degree. To do so was a slap in the face to Catholics who are taught at Confirmation to stand up for our faith and to represent the teachings of the Catholic Church in our daily lives. Both schools were totally out of line, and should be censored by the Church and the Catholic community.

By georbett on 2009-07-01T20:40