Another Confessing Catholic Speaks Out

This is good news. Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon, a devout Roman Catholic author and public intellectual, has refused the Laetare Medal - and along with it the privilege of speaking at the very same Notre Dame commencement ceremony that President Obama is scheduled to speak. This medal is apparently the highest honor given to a Roman Catholic:

'The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society. The award is given to an American Catholic layperson "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."'


Why is she doing this? Principle. There is such a thing. President Barack Obama's stated views of the sanctity of life runs counter to the policy of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Here's a choice quote from her letter to First Things magazine:

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.


These days there's not a lot for social conservatives to cheer about, so when we get two such highly publicized incidents, (Miss California & Traditional Marriage being the other) it is cause to lift one's countenance in hope there is still salt and light in this dark period in America.


Luke 18:7-8
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?

Maranatha & Baruch Hashem!