We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the selection of former Irish President Mary McAleese as this year’s Commencement address speaker. As the Catholic, pro-life club at Saint Mary's, it is our moral duty and responsibility to voice our objections to McAleese’s presence as a highlight of the 2025 graduation ceremony. Her public stances on critical moral and doctrinal issues, particularly those related to the sanctity of life, stand in stark opposition to Catholic doctrine.
While we acknowledge McAleese’s distinguished service as former president of Ireland and her contributions to peace-building, we are deeply troubled by her public position on critical issues that contradict Catholic teachings, particularly on abortion. Despite holding a doctorate in Canon Law, McAleese supports expanding abortion access, same-sex marriage and women's ordination to the priesthood. Since retiring, she has pledged “to use whatever time is left to me” to push back against Church teachings on homosexuality and the role of women. She told The View, “What else am I going to do in retirement except make myself useful in that regard?”
We cannot, in good conscience, remain silent about a speaker who openly admitted she had “no hesitation” in voting to repeal Ireland’s eighth amendment, effectively legalizing abortion and denying the pre-born the right to life. During the Synod on Synodality in Rome, McAleese spoke prominently at a counter-synod advocating for changes in Catholic doctrine on women’s ordination, same-sex marriage, gender ideology and abortion. Inviting someone whose views contradict core Church teachings on abortion and other issues risks compromising the College's Catholic identity.
In light of Saint Mary’s national spotlight after the divisive 2023 admissions policy change, we have recognized a concerning pattern in speakers invited to campus since the beginning of your presidency. Many of these invited speakers, particularly M. Shawn Copeland, the 2022 Commencement speaker, have expressed views that are undoubtedly incompatible with the foundational doctrines of the Catholic faith. In her book “Enfleshing Freedom,” for instance, Copeland controversially suggests that Jesus “came out of the closet” on Easter Sunday to become the “queer” Christ. Although McAleese has visited campus before and is not the first prominent pro-abortion speaker invited, this does not excuse the fact that she and these other pro-abortion speakers are in opposition to Church teachings.
The College has invited these speakers under the guise of academic freedom, female empowerment, exploration of thought and diversity. However, the reality is far more concerning: these speakers have only continued to perpetuate the anti-Catholic Church systemic bias growing increasingly prevalent on our campus. It is deeply disappointing that the College continues to host individuals like Copeland and McAleese, who openly contradict and deny core biblical teachings, fostering division rather than dialogue.
The Commencement speaker plays a crucial role in launching graduates into the world, inspiring them to live out the values of our beloved Catholic women’s college, with a strong focus on living out the Faith. McAleese’s invitation to speak and receive an honorary degree undermines this opportunity. It disregards the importance of selecting a speaker who reflects Catholic teachings and empowers graduates to face contemporary challenges through the lens of Catholic liberal arts education.
Instead, the College has chosen someone whose views contradict those teachings, sending a dangerous message that departing from Church doctrine and denying others the right to life is empowering. Commencement speakers should be role models, not advocates for abandoning Catholic principles.
We sincerely urge President Conboy to reconsider her choice to invite Dr. Mary McAleese to Saint Mary’s to deliver the Commencement Address.
Belles For Life
Mar. 14
