Mary Ann Glendon declines Laetare Medal
Posted by Matt Yonke (April 27, 2009 at 1:14 pm)
Citing Notre Dame’s flagrant violation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ express wishes, Harvard Law professor and former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has declined Notre Dame’s offer of this year’s Laetare Medal.
The Laetare Medal is the highest honor the University gives. It is awarded to the Catholic layperson “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity” each year.
Professor Glendon’s letter to Father Jenkins declining the award also seemed to imply that she did not appreciate being used to balance out Notre Dame’s outrageous choice of President Obama to give the commencement address:
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.
Read the full letter at the First Things blog.
thank you for all your egfforts to let Dr Jenkins know in no uncertain terms what a terrible mistake he has made. With all the attacks on the Catholic Church in our society almost daily, he really has gone to the
“dark ” side and needs our prayers. Betty
April 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
This Lady just earned a reward from God that is far greater than anything the pro-abortion school of Notre Dame could give her! She earned her place in the hereafter by refusing to sit along side of Obama at Notre Dame!
God bless her and all that are against the murder of helpless innocent babies.
May 9th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
God Bless Mary Ann Glendon! Jesus spent a great deal of his time on this earth teaching the principle to mankind to “love your neighbor as yourself,” the very basis of true justice. The Christian Church was instructed to “go and teach all nations.” Many of our Catholic institutions of learning, such as Notre Dame, are sadly choosing to embrace and honor Barack Obama whose track record is to deny the justice of life to the unborn who at the moment of conception have been endowed with an everlasting soul by Almighty God. Thank you Mary Ann for your loyalty to the teachings of the Bishops of the American Catholic Church and standing up for these helpless ones who are denied a voice!
May 13th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Graduates and university staff protesting by not attending: I support your stand for life. Someday though, the graduates may regret not having taken part in your graduation ceremony. Don’t let one man, or the few people who invited him, overshadow your own right to be in the ceremony. Consider instead: attend your graduation ceremony. When the abortion supporter is introduced, if other people stand up, you don’t. Then when they sit down to hear him, all of you stand up and turn your backs where you are while he is speaking or being honored. Or walk to the aisle and stand there with your backs to him. Return to your seats after he has left the podium. If authorities won’t let you stand at your seats or in the aisle, stay in your seats, but turned around in your seats, your backs toward the speaker. If a number of you are seated together, people would notice. This would be a powerful statement, seen by the many people there watching and the many people watching on TV. If graduates are given the chance to shake his hand, you can refuse and walk past him. You would be able to be at your graduation, and your protest would be more powerful, seen by more people, as most of the press will be covering the graduation and not the protest outside.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm