Notre Dame University may need a name change

On May 17, the University of Notre Dame provided credibility to President Barack Obama and his policies by awarding him an honorary doctor of laws degree.  I hope and pray that this action will not result in more abortion and embryonic stem cell harvesting than already provided for by this most anti-life president in our history.

I am a 1959 Notre Dame graduate.  I used to say that with pride, but it’s become somewhat embarrassing, due to the actions of its leaders over the past 40-plus years.

It is said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  With Notre Dame, I think the same could be said of success.  With several applications received for each incoming freshman class spot, and with millions of dollars of contributions received, I believe Notre Dame’s leadership has concluded that it is answerable to no one but itself.  Unless applications and contributions decline significantly, I don’t see Notre Dame’s leadership examining what it has become.

Its full name is the University of Notre Dame du Lac (Our Lady of the Lake).  One would think that that name would provide guidance for its actions.  Sadly, I don’t see that in what Notre Dame does.

It appears that the university sees no need to comply with legitimate guidelines issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to not provide honors to individuals who strongly oppose Catholic Church teachings.  Perhaps Notre Dame should acknowledge that it is not really Catholic, and change its name to the University of South Bend or Northern Indiana.

Richard A. Grimler
Fort Collins