It’s paradoxical that so many people find Notre Dame’s "Obama/right choice?" dialogue offensive.  For the record, I think the University took the right road in selecting him for "honoris juris causa".  I’m puzzled, however, by other people’s reactions to the fact that some in the Notre Dame leadership objected to the decision.  This is America, the birthplace of the right to free speech!  Don’t the leadership of the Notre Dame community have the same right to disagree as the rest of those in the school’s orbit — not to mention the rest of us?  And when the press come knocking, as they did in this instance, these leaders acknowledge their inherent and explicit responsibility to evangelize, to share what they believe to be true and important.  I for one am glad that both sides of the Notre Dame community have chosen to stand up and be counted, whatever their respective positions.  It’ll be a sorry day, indeed, when those committed to religious service feel they must walk and talk in lock-step — especially those who hail from places like Notre Dame.  Across the decades, her students and instructors have agreed mainly on one thing:  that both the spirit and practice of debate are central to Notre Dame’s identity. 

Why is it still OK to criticize Catholics in virulent terms?  Normally, these days, our society is more discerning.  Personally, I’d like to think that Catholics are no more apt to condemn or fault people than any other cohort.  If anything, wouldn’t widespread Catholic-bashing suggest that the subjects manage to turn the other cheek, or even to avoid faulting others?  …  Initally, in reading Margo Howard’s essay, I was relieved that she ended by summoning the enlightened spirit of Father Hesburg.  In a week when the handful of most-popular stories on wowOwow managed to include the latest Church scandal ("Padre Oprah"/beach bimbo), it was a relief to see another perspective.  Father Hesburg was a bona fide national leader who happened to work in Catholic education;  his pursuit of inquiry and truth, whatever they construed, helped to shape this country. … Still, on reflection, Ms. Howard’s inclusion of Bishop Finn’s "Satan" quote seemed unfortunate.  Why set that, of all statements, in an essay on whether our President represents the ideal role model for new Catholic-university alumni? … Granted, not everyone would agree with Bishop Finn’s sermon-metaphor, that pro-lifers are "engaged in constant war with Satan".  On the other hand, what does that have to do with President Obama?  If Notre Dame’s leadership considered him a Satan fan, they’d hardly have voted to make him lead speaker at a major event: especially one with so august and sentimental a heritage.  … Who among us has ever heard of anyone discussing reproduction-and-life rights in terms of Lucifer?  Clearly Bishop Finn, an orator charged with producing a memorable speech, chose that ecclesiastical constructs for dramatic effect.  And why not?  Pro-lifers have, after all, a tough job.  Let’s admit it: the "anti-choice" movement has been effectively marginalized.  Depictions of calm, sensitive-looking women, whether marching on Washington or volunteering in pediatric wards, are all-but-absent from the media.  For decades "coverage" seemed to entail new features led by pictures of screaming men.  It’s gotten to the point that many view pro-lifers as religious extremists bent on traumatizing women in their most distressing hour.  Those faithful or new to the cause have become virtual Untouchables, absent from public discourse.  I cannot remember one time a priest mentioned reproduction in a sermon;  it may be twice I’ve heard the issue addressed in church since college.  (And is a reference to the Devil absurd, in hindsight?  So often, the mission in question has a grim ending.) …  Ultimately, the right-to-life movement is about reality, not specters:  the here and now, and the future.  What we’re talking about is fate:  that of of genetic, surrogate, or adoptive parent/s and, if not statistically comparable, that of the fetus.  …  It gets very complicated, this parsing of justice.  Instead of butting heads, why don’t we all focus on our many shared convictions?  There’s plenty of work to be done, and it’s better done together than in opposition.  This could open a very fruitful line of inquiry.  After all, who among you disagrees that unwanted pregnancies constitute a burden, both to the women in question and to society?  Who among us wants to see late-term abortions become commonplace?  And don’t we all want to ensure every women, whatever her reproductive status, has a strong support network and adequate medical care?  Don’t we believe America’s children should enjoy a health standard comparable to (or better than) other industrialized nations’?  … Yes, like many others in the life/rights debate, we Catholics — who are far from reaching a concensus — struggle to find the greater good.  Like so many other women, we have made, or have supported friends making, tough decisions surrounding conception, child-bearing, child-rearing, adoption, etc.  Yes, we believe women should forge their own destinies.  But many Catholics, including women, find our minds coming around to one pivotal issue:  wasn’t I a fetus, too? … And whatever our position on everyone’s rights, it may be high time we noted how much we admire all the women and men who, while viewing this debate differently, find so many ways to help society. Thus, like all our fellows, of whatever beliefs and origins, we admire President Obama’s intellect, dignity, honesty and sense of commitment.  We, too, see that the new Washington, from The First Family to their staff and allies, have introduced a spirit of compassion and integrity unseen since the Carter days.  Mr. Obama’s devotion to social justice is patently sincere, and we all trust it will prove equal to the unique challenges of his Administration.  That’s why he was invited to speak at Notre Dame’s graduation. … Whatever all our philosophies may be, after all, don’t we all ask the same questions: "Who is my family, and how best can I love them?  What should be my legacy?  Where do I channel my ‘gifts of time, talent and treasure’?  What does ‘social responsibility’ mean for me, with my life history, relationships, occupation, and belief system?"  Please, let’s all try to keep an open mind, to remember that others who take a different position do so out of the best intentions.