CUA Law's Commencement Speaker Approves of ND's Obama Invitation

Selective dissonance?

Catholic University of America President Rev. David M. O’Connell thinks that Notre Dame made a mistake by inviting President Barack Obama to deliver a speak at commencement exercises next month.

Mark Shields, the political columnist who will be addressing graduates as commencement speaker at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law next month, disagrees.

Shield’s syndicated column, published after the University announced him as speaker, goes against the stated opinions of O’Connell and several members of the board of trustees, including chairman Bishop William E. Lori.

“As a proud graduate of Notre Dame and, frankly, as an admirer of Father Jenkins, I am not a disinterested bystander in this controversy,” writes Shields. “My university likes to think of itself, not immodestly, as the place where the Catholic Church does its thinking. But the current rhubarb is already conspicuous for generating — mostly off the campus — more heat than light.”

“The reality is that Roe v. Wade is not going to be overthrown,” he continued. (CUA student-run Tower blog)

Yes, defeatism is generally a feature of enlightened discourse.

/sarcasm.