Nothing says
higher learning these days like plugging your ears and running away. This past
weekend around 150 graduating seniors from
the University of Notre Dame ran—well, walked at a serious clip—from their own
graduation ceremony as commencement speaker Vice-President Mike Pence took the
stage.
higher learning these days like plugging your ears and running away. This past
weekend around 150 graduating seniors from
the University of Notre Dame ran—well, walked at a serious clip—from their own
graduation ceremony as commencement speaker Vice-President Mike Pence took the
stage.
See the
young exiles here
fleeing the graduation ceremony. The
protest was planned by We StaND For, a student group that announced on May 21
that it was planning a walkout during commencement exercises.
young exiles here
fleeing the graduation ceremony. The
protest was planned by We StaND For, a student group that announced on May 21
that it was planning a walkout during commencement exercises.
To be fair,
I would not have attended the commencement speech by former President Obama
because my views on life and his on ending life are so diametrically
opposed. Call me a hypocrite then if you
will, but for me, human life trumps (no pun intended) all else.
I would not have attended the commencement speech by former President Obama
because my views on life and his on ending life are so diametrically
opposed. Call me a hypocrite then if you
will, but for me, human life trumps (no pun intended) all else.
The protest against Pence, according to the student group, was
in response to “marginalized people affected by Pence’s politics.” I’m
guessing those same people would not have walked out on a pro-abortion
advocate. So give me a break on showing solidarity with the marginalized.
The Introduction
in response to “marginalized people affected by Pence’s politics.” I’m
guessing those same people would not have walked out on a pro-abortion
advocate. So give me a break on showing solidarity with the marginalized.
The Introduction
In his introductory
speech, President Rev. John I. Jenkins appealed to everyone. “We must find a way
to protect the life of the unborn child, and respect the rights of women,
particularly those who are most vulnerable and alone. We must
support our LGBT sisters and brothers, and respect freedom of
religion and the wisdom of their traditions. We must welcome those in our
community, those who want to contribute to our nation, even when they are
undocumented, and establish and enforce just immigration policies and laws. We
must welcome with charity refugees fleeing the ravages of war, and keep our
nation safe from the scourge of terrorism.”
speech, President Rev. John I. Jenkins appealed to everyone. “We must find a way
to protect the life of the unborn child, and respect the rights of women,
particularly those who are most vulnerable and alone. We must
support our LGBT sisters and brothers, and respect freedom of
religion and the wisdom of their traditions. We must welcome those in our
community, those who want to contribute to our nation, even when they are
undocumented, and establish and enforce just immigration policies and laws. We
must welcome with charity refugees fleeing the ravages of war, and keep our
nation safe from the scourge of terrorism.”
He
rebuked, however, what he called passions being twisted into hatred for those
who disagree. “Opposition to their views becomes opposition to them,” he said.
“And so we dismiss an opponent’s views before taking time to listen and
understand.”
rebuked, however, what he called passions being twisted into hatred for those
who disagree. “Opposition to their views becomes opposition to them,” he said.
“And so we dismiss an opponent’s views before taking time to listen and
understand.”
Father
Jenkins said that at Notre Dame, “we must strive for something higher.” He then
praised the vice-president for giving his life to serve the common good and
listed many accomplishments. “Even those who disagree with Mike
Pence recognize him as a man of principle,” he said. “I do as well,
and am proud to call him a friend.”
Jenkins said that at Notre Dame, “we must strive for something higher.” He then
praised the vice-president for giving his life to serve the common good and
listed many accomplishments. “Even those who disagree with Mike
Pence recognize him as a man of principle,” he said. “I do as well,
and am proud to call him a friend.”
Then
Father Jenkins welcomed the 48th vice-president
on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. There was applause and the
abrupt departure of students who showed themselves to be the very example
of what Father Jenkins had just warned against. They were smart enough to
graduate from Notre Dame but not smart enough to realize how bad
mannered, juvenile, and intolerant of anyone that does not agree with them.
Father Jenkins welcomed the 48th vice-president
on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. There was applause and the
abrupt departure of students who showed themselves to be the very example
of what Father Jenkins had just warned against. They were smart enough to
graduate from Notre Dame but not smart enough to realize how bad
mannered, juvenile, and intolerant of anyone that does not agree with them.
His Speech
Pence was otherwise greeted warmly and some even booed the
protesters. During his speech, Pence said: “While this institution has
maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses
across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone
policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness — all of which
amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech.” He described the atmosphere of policing speech
as “destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge.”
Pence expressed support for Notre Dame president Father John
Jenkins’ “steps to ensure that this university and the Little Sisters of the Poor
could not be forced to violate their consciences to fully participate in
American civic life…. And where this president stood for the unalienable right
to life at home and abroad, I’m so proud that the University of Notre Dame has
stood without apology for the sanctity of human life.”
Pence was otherwise greeted warmly and some even booed the
protesters. During his speech, Pence said: “While this institution has
maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses
across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone
policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness — all of which
amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech.” He described the atmosphere of policing speech
as “destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge.”
Pence expressed support for Notre Dame president Father John
Jenkins’ “steps to ensure that this university and the Little Sisters of the Poor
could not be forced to violate their consciences to fully participate in
American civic life…. And where this president stood for the unalienable right
to life at home and abroad, I’m so proud that the University of Notre Dame has
stood without apology for the sanctity of human life.”
Confused
I think that these graduates, imaging themselves to be bold
cultural warriors, have failed to absorb Catholic truths. For instance, one of their
issues, abortion, they also see women’s rights as
excluding the right to life. We can’t rewrite the creation story nor can we take away anyone’s right to life regardless of what anyone else says.
Those graduates imagine themselves to be bold, cultural warriors. Instead, they made bad examples out of themselves and missed their graduation ceremony for no good reason. They still have a lot of learn.
cultural warriors, have failed to absorb Catholic truths. For instance, one of their
issues, abortion, they also see women’s rights as
excluding the right to life. We can’t rewrite the creation story nor can we take away anyone’s right to life regardless of what anyone else says.
Those graduates imagine themselves to be bold, cultural warriors. Instead, they made bad examples out of themselves and missed their graduation ceremony for no good reason. They still have a lot of learn.
~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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