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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

No bubble here

The Observer Editorial ("Student response upholds University character," April 24) on student response upholding University character was well-written. Still, I would like to make a couple of points regarding the article. Although Notre Dame may be seen as a bubble against the world by students living on campus, Notre Dame is part of the real world and therefore subject to the same challenges that afflict anyone or any corporation. Trying to blame the big flap concerning Fr. John Jenkins, President Barack Obama and Notre Dame on those living outside the bubble is like blaming the Black Civil Rights Movement on radicals and outside agitators. That civil rights issue has been won for the most part and the new civil rights movement is that of protecting life from the moment of conception till natural death. What is needed for the movement to make progress is more outside agitators and radicals, not just at Notre Dame but throughout the United States and the world. This is a human rights issue and not in itself a political issue, but it must be played out at least partially in the political arena.

The pro-life protesters did not on their own choose to make a stand at Notre Dame, Notre Dame decided to set up a situation whereby ND was propelled into the national spotlight. The awarding of the abortion President a public honor at Notre Dame disillusioned many who still held up Notre Dame as the leading Catholic university in the United States, if not the world. Notre Dame knocking itself off the pedestal and dimming the bright light on the hill for all to see is what has caused the major uproar. Perhaps people were expecting too much from ND; but having placed itself in support of the abortion President and seemingly lowering the Catholic principles of the University, why wouldn't the editorial board expect pro-life people living outside the bubble to protest at ND as well as protesting the thinking and action of Notre Dame through various forms of the media?

Brother Bill Mewes, C.S.C.

Columba Hall

April 26