TO: Media Outlets
FROM: Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL, Bishop of Erie
RE: Notre Dame University’s Invitation to President Obama
DATE: May 12, 2009
ERIE, Pa. – The Golden Dome of Notre Dame, the long revered symbol of a Catholic university,
will be disgraced and dishonored on this coming May 17th, the commencement day of the
university.
On that day the leaders of the university are giving a platform and honorary degree to an individual who is a relentless advocate of unrestricted abortion: President Obama. On his
fourth day in the White House he approved federal funding to perform private abortions in other
countries (the overturning of the Mexico City Policy). He restored to the United Nations
Population Fund monies to support abortions, while opposing federal funding for pro-life
pregnancy help centers. He authorized funding to conduct human embryonic stem cell research.
In the words of Mary Ann Glendon, professor of law at Harvard University who turned down
the prestigious Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University, President Obama is “an
uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles
of justice.” May 17th will mark not just a bad decision by university officials, it will mark a day
of shame and blemish for the Catholic record and reputation of Notre Dame University. Its
relationship to the Catholic hierarchy and to the fundamental principles of the Church has been
fractured and will take new leadership to rebuild.
Many loyal alumni, students, and faculty will continually pray the rosary in reparation at the
Notre Dame Grotto during the graduation. They will give witness of what the real Notre Dame is
all about. What should be a day of joyous celebration for graduates and their families will be a
day of shame and dilemma as the university leadership moves away from its rich Catholic
tradition.
Now must begin the work of bringing new luster to the Golden Dome. Now is the time for
recommitment to being once again a great Catholic university.
###
Contact: Abby Badach, Diocese of Erie Communications Office intern
FaithIntern@eriercd.org
814-824-1165
FROM: Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL, Bishop of Erie
RE: Notre Dame University’s Invitation to President Obama
DATE: May 12, 2009
ERIE, Pa. – The Golden Dome of Notre Dame, the long revered symbol of a Catholic university,
will be disgraced and dishonored on this coming May 17th, the commencement day of the
university.
On that day the leaders of the university are giving a platform and honorary degree to an individual who is a relentless advocate of unrestricted abortion: President Obama. On his
fourth day in the White House he approved federal funding to perform private abortions in other
countries (the overturning of the Mexico City Policy). He restored to the United Nations
Population Fund monies to support abortions, while opposing federal funding for pro-life
pregnancy help centers. He authorized funding to conduct human embryonic stem cell research.
In the words of Mary Ann Glendon, professor of law at Harvard University who turned down
the prestigious Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University, President Obama is “an
uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles
of justice.” May 17th will mark not just a bad decision by university officials, it will mark a day
of shame and blemish for the Catholic record and reputation of Notre Dame University. Its
relationship to the Catholic hierarchy and to the fundamental principles of the Church has been
fractured and will take new leadership to rebuild.
Many loyal alumni, students, and faculty will continually pray the rosary in reparation at the
Notre Dame Grotto during the graduation. They will give witness of what the real Notre Dame is
all about. What should be a day of joyous celebration for graduates and their families will be a
day of shame and dilemma as the university leadership moves away from its rich Catholic
tradition.
Now must begin the work of bringing new luster to the Golden Dome. Now is the time for
recommitment to being once again a great Catholic university.
###
Contact: Abby Badach, Diocese of Erie Communications Office intern
FaithIntern@eriercd.org
814-824-1165
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