CAMPUS

Mary Ann Glendon Turns Down ND

Father Jenkins, C.S.C. was given a rude surprise yesterday when Mary Ann Glendon turned down the prestigous Laetare Medal, which was to be given during the commencement exercises. The Laetare Medal, which commemorates outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church and society is widely considered the oldest and most prestigous award for a Catholic layperson to receive. In doing so, Glendon has significantly upped the pressure on Jenkins and Notre Dame.

In an ultra-classy letter to Father Jenkins, which was also released to the press to avoid random speculation, Glendon noted that, in effect, she felt that she was being used by Notre Dame. She is exactly right. In defending its invitation of Obama, Notre Dame has repeatedly pointed out that Glendon, a staunch conservative Catholic, would be speaking at the same event. Notre Dame, in one of its earlier press releases, admitted rather weakly that “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.” Glendon pointed out rather astutely that commencement is not the time nor place for conflict or debate. It is supposed to be a joyous day.

Furthermore, it is unacceptable for Notre Dame to be justifying its actions by promoting some seperate event that it might be doing correctly. Mary Ann Gledon’s invitation to commencement does not justify Obama’s. In fact, his invitation is a metaphorical slap in the face to her life’s work. As a frequent advisor to the Conference of Catholic Bishops, Glendon noted that Obama’s invitation is “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.” Notre Dame can have Obama or Glendon, not both.