IN THEORY:

A number of Roman Catholics are objecting to President Obama’s planned speech to Notre Dame graduates this month. The main issues are the president’s stance on abortion and stem-cell research. What do you think of the issue?

?

A Catholic university should be honoring those who practice Catholic values. President Obama does not value the right to life for the unborn, has ordered the funding of embryonic stem cell research, and is considering lifting a conscience-protection law for healthcare workers who could be forced to perform procedures contrary to their religious beliefs. Can the university not find a successful person who cares about the most defenseless so that the students might emulate him or her?

My problem is more with the fact that the president will be receiving an honorary degree than the fact that he will be making an address. He does deserve our respect (and prayers) because of the office he holds, and if he were not to be honored, I believe there would be much less controversy. However, for this Catholic institution to bestow on him esteemed honors makes it worthy of the name “Notre Shame.”

Father Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church.

Costa Mesa

?

There should be no problem with inviting someone of an opposing position into a conversation. This has been the position of the university, which I have no problem with.

What I am more concerned about is that they are giving Obama a doctorate and that he would receive it. A degree affirms that someone meets the standards of the university credentials.

Not to slight our president, as he has stated that he has very little in common with Notre Dame theology, but neither it seems does their leadership. Granted, there are times when someone’s life skills warrant credentialing without taking classes, but they need to be careful of whom they put their stamp of approval on. Obama probably deserves the doctorate, but wouldn’t it be more significant if it came from a school he had some association or affinity with, or at least had something in common with? A liberal Protestant getting a stamp of approval from a conservative Catholic institution — how’s that working for you?

Campus life at Notre Dame is also far from the Catholic standard the bishops seem to be crying for. Maybe they should start with their own congregation.

Ric Olsen

Lead pastor, The Beacon

?

In my faith tradition, controversy abounds over the issue “Who is a Jew?” Now we are treated to a contretemps roiling the Catholic community over “Who is a real Catholic?”

Catholics are divided over whether inviting President Obama to address the Notre Dame graduates is a scandalous affront to the Church’s core teaching on the sanctity of life or a respectful welcome to the leader of our nation. Some say Obama’s appearance will celebrate a champion of abortion on demand, while others point to his having been hosted by no less than Edward Cardinal Egan at last year’s Al Smith Dinner.

What is at odds is the twin designation “Catholic” and “University.” Taken together, these two words bespeak religion and secularity, catechism and openness to the world. Is Notre Dame a public place where civic observances and pluralistic interchange can occur, or is it a standard bearer for a doctrinal purity that disqualifies anyone who opposes Church teaching?

While I would not intrude into an intra-faith affair, I note one irony: Notre Dame honored President Bush as its commencement speaker in 2001. Though he was a vigorous proponent of capital punishment, a practice opposed to Catholic moral teaching, the protest that developed in 2001 was muted and minuscule by comparison.

Does the sanctity of life only obtain at the beginning of life?

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm