The University of Notre Dame invited President Obama to speak at their commencement ceremony this year, quite an honor. Given the president's stated positions on issues of life and the protection of the unborn with regard to abortion and embryonic stem cell research, which stand in direct opposition to Catholic teaching on the subjects, this invitation has Catholics around the country debating whether Notre Dame should have made the invitation or not.
Today in the Chicago Tribune, two prominent Catholics, Doug Kmiec and George Weigel, debated the subject.
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I think that as Catholics sometimes we take the bible too literally. I know this comment has the ability to offend people who may read it this way. Personally I think the most wonderful thing about being Catholic is the dedication to serving others blindly. As a young Catholic I have noticed the difference between my personal Catholic upbringing and that of my friends that have grown up in a non-denominational Christian church. Sadly one of the most obvious differences I see presented everyday is judgement. My point in bringing this observation to the table is that I think that Catholics should not align themselves to single subject issues as points of alienation. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones in my opinion. Although I can not say that I necessarily support a women's right to choose or not in any given situation, I think that we must be mindful that we should not shun people who think/act differently than us. We are loving people not judgmental people. We hope that people will see this quality in us and want to surround themselves with the love of God that we embody. But it seems obvious to me that people will not see this if we focus on single subject issues that are alienating to so many. I know that the Vatican must take specific stances on these subjects, but in action I think that we Catholics must treat people with love and not make these types of issues platforms to preach judgement. If the world is looking for Catholic reaction I think we need to offer out opinion couched in unconditional acceptance and love so that people can see who we really are and not have misguided impressions of the Catholic faith based on single subject issues.
Well, Anonymous, while I admire your desire to embrace everyone and avoid confrontation, I don't believe that we should, at least not on a subject as important as abortion, "go along to get along." The fact is that abortion is murder, and almost half of America still doesn't believe that. Until the vast majority of people appreciate just how horrible and morally repugnant abortion is, we have to stand up and point this out. By the way, this is far from a Catholic "thing." Abortion is one of the core issues that unites all Christians.
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