Cardinal George: Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama embarrasses Catholic Church
OMMENCEMENT | But students still heavily favor visit
Cardinal Francis George called the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at its commencement an "extreme embarrassment" to Catholics.
"It is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation," said George, who made his remarks at a conference Sunday hosted by the archdiocese's Respect Life office in Rosemont.
In a video of George's speech posted Wednesday on lifesitenews.com, George calls Notre Dame "the flagship Catholic university," and said that it has "brought extreme embarrassment to many, many people who are Catholic."
Obama's positions on embryonic stem cell research and abortion have caused a firestorm of protest over his planned May 17 speech at the Catholic university.
"I would think and hope that the cardinal himself would like those moments back," said R. Scott Appleby, a Notre Dame professor who specializes in American religious history. "Because he is a diplomatic and sensitive person, and I don't think he'd want to stand by some of the things that he was quoted as saying or that he said off the cuff. If he were to stand by those, I guess I'd be very disappointed."
Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, previously said the university does not condone all of the president's policies. Still, he said it's valuable to engage in conversation and said there are no plans to rescind the invitation.
George said in his weekend speech that the office of the U.S. president deserves "some respect, no matter who is holding it." He also said the school shouldn't rescind the invitation.
According to junior Jenn Metz, editor-in-chief of Notre Dame's student newspaper, letters from students are 70 percent in favor of Obama's visit and 30 percent against -- the same as last week. Overall, she said, alumni are still more con than pro, though alumni letters received this week are split 50/50.
"People are pretty proud that he chose our university," said graduating senior Gavin Payne, 22. Fellow students, he noted, are most concerned that protesters will mar the proceedings.
"I think it's an exciting mood, but people don't want it to be a circus out there."