Since late March, there has been much discussion, protest and defense of Notre Dame’s decision to invite President Barack Obama to give the class of 2009’s commencement speech, in addition to the presentation of an honorary law degree. Spiritual leaders, including priests and bishops as well as Vatican official Archbishop Raymond Burke have expressed their views, as has Human Life International President, Fr. Tom Euteneuer, a Notre Dame graduate.
Students Protest President Obama's Abortion Record
Students have engaged in the methodical planning of a boycott expressing their “deepest opposition in defense of the unborn to Fr. John Jenkins’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame's principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree" as stated on their coalition web site, ND Response. The coalition has also placed a professionally-produced video.
As of Tuesday, students associated with ND Response have obtained permission from the university to demonstrate peacefully in protest of President Obama’s participation in their graduation. FOX News reports: “the group claims that by honoring Obama, Notre Dame is sanctioning his positions on abortion and embryonic stem cell research, which the Catholic Church opposes.”