Integrity over Prestige

Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon's letter refusing the Laetare Medal is very clear, and shows that she refuses to be used, as Fr Jenkins had intended to do. Again, Integrity.

She could have simply accepted. She deserves this Award. She could have simply acquiesced, accepted it, and spoke her beliefs to the Graduates and to everyone else that attends the event. Bishop D'Arcy had apparently left the door open for her to do so.

But principle has won out over prestige. In doing so, IMHO, she has increased her already very high level of prestige.

Her letter, in part, explains her decision:

Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

• "President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal."

• "We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about."

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops' guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame's example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

God bless you, Mary Ann Glendon!