The University is not honoring the President for his political views on issues regarding the protection of life, but rather for his political achievements. The invitation of the President is in no way an endorsement of his positions on these specific issues and, furthermore, these differences in positions on the protection of life are not being ignored in extending the invitation to the President but, rather, is being used to initiate dialogue.
Remember the company Jesus kept, and those among which he ate. You cannot change the world, nor progress towards achievement for the common human family, if you are unwilling to engage in dialogue with the side you must persuade. Indeed, this is a reason for which the University is eager to honor former US ambassador to the Holy See and current Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon with the Laetare Medal this year. The dialogue between the President and Professor Glendon could prove fruitful.
Fine, you say, open dialogue is swell, but for what reasons should we allow a President with views contrary to the Catholic teaching a platform on which to address members of the Notre Dame family ? And for what reasons should we honor him with a Doctors of Law degree ? Does not the USCCB strictly forbid giving such politicians a platform or honors ?
The University is not offering a platform upon which the President is to offer his political stances. This is commencement, a celebration of the four years of hard work which students have undertaken, and to have a President who knows well the achievements made possible through education seems fitting in this context. It was partially for this that he was invited, not his political views. This is not a political platform and to neglect the dividing line between a celebration of achievement and a forum for polemics is directly disrespectful to the graduating seniors.
If it is not for his political stances that the University has invited the President, then for what ? According to Father Jenkins, the President is "an inspirational leader who has taken leadership of the country facing many challenges" and, as the first African American President, it is a "special feature" for the University to hear from someone who has "spoken eloquently and powerfully about race. Racial prejudice," he goes on, "is a deep wound in America and President Obama has been a healer, so we honor him for those reasons."
The USCCB states that those who act in defiance of the fundamental moral principles of the Church "should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions" and, indeed, as articulated by Jenkins, the University is not honoring the President for these specific actions and views.
The University is recognizing his very real and significant accomplishments and his leadership. At the same time, the University wishes to engage him in the future, and this occasion will be an opportune time to do so. If the President is going to reconsider his views, Jenkins says, "Notre Dame is the best possible place to begin that process."
“Notre Dame needs to be where the Catholic Church does its thinking. You can’t think and grow if you only view things from one side of the argument. People who visit Notre Dame don’t have the power to change Notre Dame, but Notre Dame has the power to change people.” - Father Hesburgh
