Kudos to Mary Ann Glendon, Ambassador to the Vatican from 2007 to 2009, who sent the following letter to President of Notre Dame, Fr. John Jenkins. This is one lady who not only has class but courage. God bless her!
April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre Dame
Dear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors. Read more...
Visit Professor Glendon's webpage and I offer her contact information below for those who want to send her a thank you note! It might be nice to include a spiritual bouquet.
Mary Ann Glendon
Learned Hand Professor of Law
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, MA 02138
Secretary: Susan Norton (617)496-2609
Fax: (617)496-4913
Email: glendon@glendonbooks.com
Courage like this we do not see today. it is most comforting that such a step would be taken.
ReplyDeleteI do continue to be sad for the graduates though. They, I am sure congratulate her as well as the rest of us.
In reviewing Professor Mary Ann Glendon's writings. . . . .I find absolutely nothing in her defending of innocents who have been victimized by pedophile priests. As a grandmother with ND alum. . . and as Catholic. . . I am more than saddened to see the closing and selling of parochial schools, as well as Catholic parishes throughout the U.S. in order to pay for the abuse perpetrated on our children. . . not only by parish prients but bishops as well. We are in no position, as Catholics, in portraying ourselves as having such "high morals and principles" as outlined by the U.S. Bishops in 2004. . . when we have not protected the most frail and trusting of our Catholic family. Most times our bishops and priests have tried to hide their crime against children and others. Indeed. . . our Church has skirted the issue time and time again of pedophile priests/bishops who have ruined the lives of trusting youngsters with some who have committed suicide. Perhaps, Mary Ann Glendon, as a Harvard law professor dealing in ethics. . . would like to address this issue. . . so far she hasn't from what I've read. Personally, I find that our President, Barack Obama, has stronger "moral principles and ethics" than what Mary Ann Glendon has proffered. . .so far.
ReplyDeleteThe second annoymous comment is horrendous. What good thing has this man done. He has hymotized some people and that is about all. He has authorized the murder of babies, at taxpayers expense. How is that a good thing. I could go on from there.
ReplyDeleteWhile Profrssor Glendon on the other hand ahds shown herself to be strong and womanly at the sme time. He family always comes first. Has sent regrets to, what the world considers important functions, stating he fmaily, with he grand children are haveing a function at that time.
Perhaps she is thinking of those grandchildren in refdusing this, now dubious honor. Perhaps she wants them to know that worldly honors take second place to God.