(RNS) A former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and respected bioethicist told the University of Notre Dame on Monday (April 27) that she will not accept the prestigious Laetare Medal because of President Obama’s scheduled commencement address.
Mary Ann Glendon said she had been “profoundly moved” when she was first told of the honor last December, but said Notre Dame’s decision to invite Obama and give him an honorary degree caused her to change her mind.
The university has come under withering criticism from conservatives, including nearly 50 U.S. bishops, who say the school is ignoring the bishops’ guidelines that Catholic universities should not honor politicians who support abortion rights.
Glendon, who teaches at Harvard Law School, said she had tried to revise her planned remarks after Obama’s invitation became public, but decided she didn’t want to engage in a war of words on the commencement platform.
“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 … to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice,” Glendon wrote to Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins.
Glendon’s letter was posted online by the conservative journal First Things, where she is a member of the editorial and advisory board.
Jenkins, in a statement, said the school was “disappointed” by Glendon’s decision but said “it is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.”
Glendon seemed to take issue with “talking points” that she said were circulated by Notre Dame that appear to use Glendon’s appearance as cover for the controversy surrounding Obama.
The talking points said Obama “won’t be doing all the talking” and that “We think having the president come to Notre Dame … and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about,” according to Glendon’s letter.