Mary Ann Glendon, the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard, faxed a letter to Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. this morning, declining the Laetare Medal she was to receive at the school's graduation ceremony.
This follows the public controversy over the university awarding an honorary degree to President Barack Obama.
[A]s a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops' express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions "should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" and that such persons "should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event....
A commencement... is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision -- in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops -- to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice....
It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.
First Things has the entire letter, but their server appears to have crashed.
From the University of Notre Dame website: The following statement from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, is in response to the decision by Mary Ann Glendon to decline acceptance of the University’s Laetare Medal:
“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our... READ MORE
President Barack Obama reacted this way to Mary Ann Glendon’s decision to refuse to be honored alongside the pro-abortion president at Notre Dame’s May 17 commencement, MSNBC reports:
“President Obama is disappointed by former Ambassador Mary Glendon’s decision,” said spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki, “but he looks forward to delivering an... READ MORE
Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event....
Futher the dialectic in other words...exactly why Axelrod is so eager to continue this tour of Catholic institutions upon which this adminstration has embarked.
May I suggest she be replaced with someone more befitting Notre Dame's current culture.. a Nancy Pelosi perhaps or maybe some of the other Catholics that have turned the Democrats into the prolife party that they now are?
Mary Ann Glendon, evidently, is too much of an extremist to be very effective as the token alternative voice for Magestrial values.
May I suggest she be replaced with someone more befitting Notre Dame's current culture.. a Nancy Pelosi perhaps or maybe some of the other Catholics that have turned the Democrats into the prolife party that they now are?
Mary Ann Glendon, evidently, is too much of an extremist to be very effective as the token alternative voice for Magestrial values.
I'm sure that will be coming soon to a Catholic University near you.
Last edited by Michie; 27th April 2009 at 08:41 PM.
Good for her. I hope the next person they offer the award to follows suit.
__________________ Other causes demand commitment, abortion demands complicity. Other causes survive by energy and attention. The survival of the abortion industry - and it is an industry - depends upon avoidance and silence. Bob Casey Sr.
If pregnancy presents a challenge, do we as a society rise to the challenge by dispensing with the child? And when a pregnancy comes at a difficult time, what is the worthier response? Do we surround mother and child with protection and love, or do we hold out to her the cold comfort of a trip to an abortionist? Where is our true character as a nation to be seen - let's ask ourselves this question: Where is our true character to be seen, in an adoptive home, or in an abortion clinic? Who are we? Who are we America? That question deserves an answer. Bob Casey Sr.
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Good for her. I hope the next person they offer the award to follows suit.
that will not happen, they will offer the award to someone who will not turn it down, either a mediocre talent who needs some fame or someone of compromised morals
__________________ VIVA CRISTO REY
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President Barack Obama reacted this way to Mary Ann Glendon’s decision to refuse to be honored alongside the pro-abortion president at Notre Dame’s May 17 commencement, MSNBC reports:
“President Obama is disappointed by former Ambassador Mary Glendon’s decision,” said spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki, “but he looks forward to delivering an... READ MORE
I wonder if Glenodon was inspired by Carrie Prejean- I also wonder if Obama will not just cut loose and call glendon a stupid <----->.
Good job Mary Ann Glendon, this is exactly the response Notre Dame deserves and needs.
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One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To gaze on the Lord's beauty, to visit his temple. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
that will not happen, they will offer the award to someone who will not turn it down, either a mediocre talent who needs some fame or someone of compromised morals
Most likely Perez Hilton.
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One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To gaze on the Lord's beauty, to visit his temple. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Mary Ann Glendon declines Notre Dame award 
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