Obama Appearance at Notre Dame Sparks Anger From Anti-Abortion Groups

The decision of the University of Notre Dame to have President Barack Obama receive an honorary degree from the school appears to have touched off a firestorm among the anti-abortion community.

With less than three weeks until the school’s commencement, Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon has refused an award from the school saying she did not want to appear on the same stage as the president because of his stance on abortion.

In a letter to Notre Dame president Reverend John I. Jenkins, Glendon said she was unhappy to hear that her speech was expected to balance the views of Obama.

“[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,” wrote Glendon.

It is also being reported that Notre Dame alumni are receiving letters asking them to urge the university to cancel Obama’s appearance. NBC affiliate WNDU-TV reports that the letters urge supporters to “cancel Obama, replace Father Jenkins and restore Notre Dame.”

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