April 27, 2009 9:30 AM
Mary Ann Glendon declines Laetare Medal from Notre Dame
Breaking News from First Things:Declining Notre Dame: A Letter from Mary Ann Glendon
April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre DameDear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame's most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.
First, as 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:
• "President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal."
• "We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about."
A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It 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.
Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops' guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame's example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.
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.
In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Yours Very Truly,
Mary Ann Glendon
Mary Ann Glendon is Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. A member of the editorial and advisory board of First Things, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 2007 to 2009.
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Comments
Good for her!!!!
Posted by: Margaret | April 27, 2009 10:23 AM
It is so impressive for Mrs. Glendon to make such a stance for what she believes in and I would hope that Father Jenkins would see that he should do the same. Mrs. Glendon is absolutely correct in stating that this may cause a ripple effect, small changes always become a larger issue. Congratulations to Mrs. Glendon, I hope that this stance will have a ripple effect.
Posted by: Carolyn Billeaud | April 27, 2009 11:00 AM
Mrs. Glendon is a "REAL" Catholic! Thank-you Mrs. Glendon for standing up and speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves: the unborn. Julie
Posted by: julie | April 27, 2009 2:29 PM
Mary Ann Glendon should be admired for her actions. I have always been appalled by Catholics in public office whose voting record clearly violates Catholic theology.
Posted by: Cathy T | April 27, 2009 5:02 PM
Yes, thank God someone is making a strong statement against Notre Dame. Covering Jesus and other sacred statues at Georgetown was outrageous enough when Obama spoke.
That institution enabled and demonstrated the hatred and arrogance against Catholic religion and moral principals in the United States. What good is sending a child to a Catholic college if it has to be ashamed of Jesus being in the presence and same screen shot of the leader of this nation.
Now that Notre Dame is giving a degree in the name of Our Mother to the man who fought so hard for legislation to deny medical care to babies who somehow lived through an abortion...to let that baby just die alone - it is a leap of faith! Right over the edge.
Obama says America lost it's moral compass in trying to stop further terrorist attacks using enhanced interrogation to stop American citizens from dying. Of course he'd say that - he must love when babies die - more money for Planned Parenthood! yah!
Notre Dame is the one who has lost it's moral compass - we all know what Obama's stood for all these years - and his morals, that's not a surprise! The surprise is "Catholics" who voted for him.
Posted by: Mary Ann | April 30, 2009 10:30 PM
