South Bend, IN – The Center for Bioethical Reform yesterday flew an airplane over Notre Dame towing a large banner with a photo of an aborted baby. Operation Rescue praised the bold move and is working with CBR to mount public opposition to President Obama’s scheduled speech there on May 17.
In addition to the aerial protest, others have been expressing their displeasure that a stalwart Catholic institution would compromise church teaching and invite a man who radically supports killing children in the womb.
• Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard University Law Professor and former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, has refused to accept an award from Notre Dame, citing Obama’s support for abortion.
• A Notre Dame alumni group is reporting that their 900 members will not be giving $8.2 million in donations to the school in protest to the Obama appearance.
• A group called Pray Daily America has called for Notre Dame’s President, Fr. John Jenkins, to resign over the scandal.
“This is truly a grassroots movement that continues to grow,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “We may not be able to stop Obama’s appearance at Notre Dame, but we can send the message loud and clear that there are serious moral, spiritual, and practical consequences to stubbornly embracing the sin of abortion.”
Click here to contribute to our Notre Dame Protest project.
The plane that flew over Notre Dame today was seen by countless pre-school and school-aged children who live in on-campus housing. This was completely irresponsible and shameful to the pro-life movement.
Troy,Cheryl, Mark H, et al: A huge thank you for not making this a Catholic issue. I am one of the Catholics who is embarrassed and ashamed of my” own” for devaluing the sanctity of LIFE. Mark’s comment in the South Bend Newspaper cut like a knife, because it was true. He talked about the “pro-life” Catholics- what happened? I was not one of half of “us” who voted for Obama. I still am in amazement, shock, and disgust. Our Church pounds the fact that abortion is an intrinsic evil into our heads , yet half of “us” voted for this Evil. Please- this is not an “attack Catholic” invitation. This is a huge “THANK YOU” for jumping in to help. We are called to be faithful. Whatever Notre Dame gets, it deserves. God remains in charge. Maybe those who turned away from God, will learn from this atrosity, and repent. My point in writing was just to issue a heart-felt, humble debt of gratitude. See you all in S. Bend!
Mary Ann Glendon has just proved she is not just talk but action. God bless her.
God bless whoever got that sign flying over everybody to see too!
We have museums that show pictures of The Holocaust and children visit these museums. What is the difference? These are human beings that we slaughter daily. There is no difference and I applaud the effort!
Complaints that it was irresponsible to fly over an area where children could view the display are meritless, in my opinion. Nothing in life is perfect but I daresay this is an attempt to shift the focus from what was intended. It seems to me an attempt to avoid the truth about the reason for the flyover (immoral abortions) and instead blame those trying to draw attention to what is a national and worldwide tragedy. The plight of millions upon millions of children who will never get a chance to live supercede any discomfort ALLEGEDLY caused these children. If in fact any children did notice and understand the display at least it was for a purpose. These same children probably witness violence every day in their homes, on TV’S and in computer “games” for no purpose but entertainment.
I applaud those who are taking a stand against pro-abortion president Obama speaking at Notre Dame. This is not just a “Catholic” issue, it is a human issue, every bit as much as the Jewish Holocaust. However, since Obama is a noted pro-abortion advocate, for him to speak at Notre Dame (Our Lady) commencement is an insult to the Catholic Church and all persons concerned with the dignity of life.
The best thing to be done would be for him to show a little humility (if he has any) and graciously decline the offer. And the second best thing would be to replace Fr. Jenkins for the damage he is causing the Pro-Life Movement.
In response to Lindsey Galles:
You are not God and neither am I. Therefore, because there is ONLY ONE TRUE GOD, creator of all that is seen and unseen. None of us has the RIGHT to override GOD’S authority, not even a president. We were created for HIS pleasure, in His image and to fullfil a more excellent purpose. A little over 400 years ago we were given the opportunity to come to a new world where we could worship and praise GOD with every part of our being. Sadly, We were followed over here by the same poeple that were persecuting us for our faith in the ONE TRUE GOD; and once again they begin and continue to destroy what is good, ethical and moral in the eyes of GOD.
I write this with a very sad heart, because has always been good is now being called evil, and what has always been evil is more than ever being called good.
I was very grateful when I saw this plane flying over the University yesterday; I am SO glad that somebody is speaking out and that it’s loud enough for many to hear. I agree with Annie, it is very shocking and sad to think that it has only taken 400 years for this country to turn completely away from God, murdering innocent children everyday and not even being convicted about it. People NEED TO SEE THIS; hopefully it will disturb enough people that things will begin to change. I saw a truck the other day with a 2 huge pictures of innocent, aborted children on it right on Michigan street and was very impressed; I commend whoever it is doing this. Thank you.
I personally think that people are too readily praising this display as something great and honorable just because it speaks out against abortion. As a Notre Dame student, let me clarify that we are an INCREDIBLY pro-life campus. We are as aware of this issue as any campus in the country. In many ways, flying images of aborted fetuses over campus preaches to the choir. This circus that Randall Terry and his followers are initiating only alienates people from the discussion. These images alienate and tend to shut the ears of those who most need to be listening.
Those of us who are pro-life don’t need to see an aborted fetus to ‘get it’. We already ‘get it’. Those who are not already pro-life are merely alienated by such shows. These displays are counterproductive.
Use the absurd amount of money that all of this is costing to support women who are in need of support (and might feel the need to have an abortion if they do not get support). Donate the money to Catholic charities. Choose more direct love and care over yelling. It will save lives and will be a much greater testament to this cause than alienating and obnoxious protests. It will absolutely be more effective at converting hearts.
I think that it is easy to waste money flying planes around, and posting pictures of aborted babies. How about spending your money and time, helping some abused or neglected chidren that are already here?
Mike & Judy,
Apparently somebody at ND doesn’t get it or they wouldn’t be inviting AND honoring Obama, the most pro-abortion pres. in history, in the first place. What’s wrong with you people? The money to oppose this kind of compromise and unbibilical thinking on the part of a Catholic institution that should be upholding Church teaching is money well spent! Notre Dame is disgracing the name of Christ by joining hands with someone who promotes the killing of innocent preborn children. The Bible says we should have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. They money spent on exposing Obama and ND’s unholy alliance with him is a biblical use of resources. If it can keep other religious instutitions true, then it is worth it, and may, as a result, save lives.
Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong. In Jesus Christ ALONE we have been set free to make our own choices. Therefore, it has nothing to do with allianating or offending anyone, because it is all about conviction. Saddly, People that have made the conscience choice to travel through the broad road of life, have indeed made that choiice without anyone twisting there arms.
Every person has the option to choose whether to travel and live through “The Narrow Way” which leads to life, or to travel and live through the “Broad Way” which leads to death.
In Luke 13:24-28 it says, “And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jesusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “STRIVE to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand ouside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU WORKERS OF INIQUITY.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and youselves thrust out.
Therefore, IF anyone from Norte Dame is truly against abortion in general, he/she will not honor obama with his/her presence (just because of a ceremonial recieving of a diploma), because if you do you will in fact be dishonoring/rejecting the LORD God who created you in HIS image and has commanded you to choose what is right; if otherwise, you will be elevating and honoring a person that is totally against the LORD God.
In general this is a first amendment nightmare for both sides of the street! We should defend the right for both sides to speak out on the issues, and not squelch speach either way.
This has a twist though; ND invited the “bama” and ND should rescind the invitation or fire the president who invited him. If they don’t, the church should divest itself of this wayward university if they don’t tow the line of strict Catholic Doctrine.
I have no problem giving the office of the POTUS its respect, by I don’t respect the man, nor agree with his policies. He follows in a long line of divisive politicians to be elected to the post, and should suffer the firestorm that his predecessor had to wherever and whenever he spoke.
God raised up Esther in the Bible to willingly lay down her life for her people in order to save them, & He has raised up Operation Rescue, Alan Keyes, & all of the other courageous people who are at Notre Dame for such a time as this. Our babies are being slaughtered, & the pictures that are being displayed aren’t a pretty sight, but that is the reality of abortion. We have swept it under the rug for too long, & now God is raising up His remnant to say “enough is enough”. We should not, & cannot turn our heads any longer. Whatever the cost, even jail, this precious human life is worth it, & we need to pray for the same courage & conviction to stand up for truth, for righteousness, & for Jesus! These are not obnoxious protests, nor is anyone yelling, but a sincere & true effort to save our babies in an hour that they are being murdered. We’re proud of all of you, & we stand with you with our support, & our prayers.
Like John and Dianne pointed out, the ND protestors are to be applauded for taking a strong stance against the speaker in favor of abortion. May GOD Bless You All.
I believe that today, May 17, 2009, marks the beginning of the Exodus of hords of true God fearing people from the Catholic church, because they have been betrayed by their own Vatican leader, who has proven to be nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I am not a Catholic, but I cried and felt the pain for all those people that stood up to protect the unborn child that cannot defend himself, and then imprisoned for protecting the innocent children.
Only God, the creator of heaven and earth and everything in it, has the right to say who will be born and when that person’s life will end. And yet, people have allowed themselves to become blinded to the wonderful pure Truth of God, to satisfy their evil selfish lusts.
Sadly, the united states was not perfect, but it was the best country where many people migrated to because there was still some hope for a better life. But now, people are walking in every street and town with their hands full of inocent blood in their hands and without a care in the world; with the help of the Liberals that legalized abortion to give them the liscense to keep right on sinning and then kill their own babies.