By Dave Andrusko

This is now old news, but its new news to me. Various places, starting with catholicculture.org, have reported that the University of Notre Dame took a tremendous hit in contributions during the fiscal year that the University afforded pro-abortion President Barack Obama the opportunity to deliver the Commencement Address AND receive an honorary degree.

Prof. Mary Ann Glendon (center), the recipient of the 2009 Proudly Pro-Life Award, with NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz and NRLC Vice President Tony Lauinger.

Catholicculture.org reported that from July 2007 to June 2088, the University received "gifts totaled $347,155,514, including $62,241,121 in government grants." The following fiscal year--the time span during which President Obama delivered his speech--"gifts to the university totaled $226,689,374, including $60,133,035 in government grants." For us mathematically challenged, that's a plunge of over $120 million.

Without rehearsing the entire controversy, it is important to remember that the University of Notre Dame was informed by countless alumni, students, and parents of students that the invitation to speak at Notre Dame's commencement was inappropriate.

Among those was Anthony J. Lauinger, National Right to Life Vice President (and father of seven Notre Dame alumni and one then current student). When NRLC called upon University of Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., to rescind the invitation to Barack Obama, Lauinger wrote, ""Notre Dame's invitation to the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history is a betrayal of the University's mission and an affront to all who believe in the sanctity and dignity of human life."

He added, "We call upon Father Jenkins to rescind the invitation and stand up for the millions of unborn children who face death under Obama Administration policies."

In a letter to Father Jenkins, Mr. Lauinger pointed out that, through words and actions, Barack Obama has launched a comprehensive anti-life agenda that targets decades of life-saving policies while treating the views of pro-life Americans with complete contempt.

"As a Notre Dame parent and supporter, I am outraged by this invitation to Barack Obama. I have apologized to my eight children for the poor guidance I provided them when I encouraged them to enroll at Notre Dame," Lauinger wrote.

On a related note, on October 6, 2009, the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund honored Mary Ann Glendon with its highest honor--the Proudly Pro-Life Award. Ambassador Glendon had been invited to receive the University of Notre Dame's highest honor, the Laetare Medal, at the university commencement. Subsequently she declined the award when it became apparent that her appearance was being cited as justification for Notre Dame's honoring of President Barack Obama on the same stage

In a letter to Rev. Jenkins, Ambassador Glendon wrote that President Obama is "a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice," and indicated she was at a loss to understand why a Catholic university would honor a man with such a record.

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