Former Ambassador To Vatican Turns Down Nd Award

[Sojourner]

Mary Ann Glendon, former ambassador to the Vatican from the U.S. and a well-respected professor at Harvard Law School, turned down an award and speaking opportunity at Notre Dame because of its plan to honor President Obama.

[url="http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/589636.aspx"]Here's a blog on her decision[/url], and following is the full text of her letter to Fr. Jenkins:
[quote]April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre Dame

Dear 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[/quote]

Edited April 27, 2009 by Terra Firma

[marielapin]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1849998' date='Apr 27 2009, 09:43 AM']Mary Ann Glendon, former ambassador to the Vatican from the U.S. and a well-respected professor at Harvard Law School, turned down an award and speaking opportunity at Notre Dame because of its plan to honor President Obama.

[url="http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/589636.aspx"]Here's a blog on her decision[/url], and following is the full text of her letter to Fr. Jenkins:[/quote]


Wow. But will even this make a dent in the unflappable Fr. Jenkins?

[Sojourner]

[quote name='marielapin' post='1850015' date='Apr 27 2009, 09:57 AM']Wow. But will even this make a dent in the unflappable Fr. Jenkins?[/quote]
Doubtful. But, it does make it more difficult for Fr. Jenkins to defend his position.

[CatherineM]

It is time for people of principal to stand up for what we believe in, even if it costs us something important.

[Brother Adam]

Mary Ann Glendon is to be commended and supported for her decision.

[Apotheoun]

Notre Dame should no longer be allowed to refer to itself as a "catholic" school.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1850024' date='Apr 27 2009, 11:14 AM']It is time for people of principal to stand up for what we believe in, even if it costs us something important.[/quote]
I agree. In some ways I am happy the choices are becoming clearer. I think when the cost is less significant and the choices less clear people are more willing to compromise.

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1850044' date='Apr 27 2009, 11:28 AM']Mary Ann Glendon is to be commended and supported for her decision.[/quote]
I agree 100 percent.

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1850061' date='Apr 27 2009, 11:44 AM']Notre Dame should no longer be allowed to refer to itself as a "catholic" school.[/quote]
Notre Dame has strayed far from its founding principles, but there are still many, many faithful Catholics teaching there. It would be a shame to give up on such an iconic university; perhaps the better course of action would be to clean house.

[DemonSlayer]

Good on her for doing that.

[Vincent Vega]

God bless her for standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1850044' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:28 PM']Mary Ann Glendon is to be commended and supported for her decision.[/quote]
I wish I had an award to give to her...

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Wow, this is a bombshell.

[Guest KevinSymonds]

Notre Shame will have a lot to account for after this.

God bless Mary Ann Glendon. She'll go to Rome to receive the personal congratulations from the Pontiff. Watch.

[Paddington]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1850274' date='Apr 27 2009, 05:00 PM']I wish I had an award to give to her... [/quote]

You got a trophy store in your area?

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='marielapin' post='1850015' date='Apr 27 2009, 11:57 AM']Wow. But will even this make a dent in the unflappable Fr. Jenkins?[/quote]

Probably not. However, it makes him look more ridiculous in front of real dedicated Catholics and this sends a message of the Catholic dedication of this women. This is just another sword against the ND president.


[quote name='CatherineM' post='1850024' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:14 PM']It is time for people of principal to stand up for what we believe in, even if it costs us something important.[/quote]

YES!


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[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1850274' date='Apr 27 2009, 03:00 PM']I wish I had an award to give to her... [/quote]
Maybe Phatmass can give her one. Seriously she should get some sort of recognition for what she's done.

[quote name='KevinSymonds' post='1850346' date='Apr 27 2009, 03:55 PM']Notre Shame will have a lot to account for after this.[/quote]
I understand the sentiment, really I do.

But the University of Notre Dame was named after Our Lady, a woman I hold in very high esteem, and I personally don't appreciate people making a mockery of her name just because the institution that bears it has done such a poor job honoring her.