Posted on 05/11/2009 11:51:24 AM PDT by wagglebee
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- Notre Dame students who don't want to attend a graduation ceremony involving pro-abortion President Barack Obama put together alternate plans. Today, they announced that Father Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life, will lead prayer at a pro-life prayer vigil.
The Class of 2009 Vigil for Life will be celebrated at Sunday's commencement ceremony at the same time as the graduation event.
“In standing with these students, I am standing with the true spirit of Notre Dame: a pro-life spirit, in harmony with human reason and Catholic Faith," Father Pavone told LifeNews.com on Monday.
"The scandal that has been generated does not represent what Notre Dame is all about," Pavone added. "It represents a radical betrayal of what Notre Dame is all about."
Pavone said the scandal has resulted in pro-life Catholics standing up for the teachings of the Catholic Church and wanting to hold the university accountable to them.
“Hundreds of thousands of Catholics, hundreds of priests, and dozens of bishops have called upon Notre Dame to end this scandal by withdrawing its invitation to President Obama," he said. "The result of that demand is not in our control."
Pavone told LifeNews.com he thinks pro-life students should exercise their right not to attend the graduation ceremony, where President Obama will give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree.
"One final response to this scandal is fully in the control of each graduating senior: don't show up. Don't participate in an event which will only serve to obscure rather than highlight the Church’s pro-life teaching and the true spirit of Notre Dame," Pavone continued.
"The seniors who do this are manifesting the real meaning of commencement: they are carrying out the witness to truth and service that their hard-earned degrees have prepared them to give in the world," he added.
Some pro-life students plan to join Pavone for the alternative event, but others plan to conduct their own protest during the graduation ceremonies, ND Response, the pro-life collection of student groups, told LifeNews.com last week.
"It certainly appears obvious from these announced plans that a large or perhaps the sole focus of that response is a boycott," ND Response indicated. "There also may be other small groups or individuals amongst the 2009 graduates and their guests who have their own ideas about raising the pro-life issue to Mr. Obama inside the Joyce Center."
The students say they want a focus on peaceful and respectful opposition, especially in light of some of the more in-your-face opposition appearing at their campus in recent days along with the arrest of some pro-life advocates.
Related web sites:
Priests for Life - http://www.PriestsforLife.org
Notre Dame response - http://www.ndresponse.com
Perfectly stated!
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Yippee! Great idea!
This would be the most effective protest of this travesty.
Great idea.
ping
He's right.
They have a golden opportunity to show what their Catholic faith and their studies and sacrifices at Notre Dame truly mean for them. They can stand up for the sanctity of life. They can reclaim Notre Dame for Christ and Our Lady.
Pray and then protest both inside and outside the building.
While not a Roman Catholic, I will be praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ that God will bless their stands for the sanctity of human life.
The Big Zero is a selfish excuse for a man.
“Rudy can start in my place coach”.
Ditto to your post.
Fr. Pavone - a class act! (pardon the pun or double meaning)
Blessings
Mel
Yea lets just hope there is absolutely nothing to hide in his closet...the Obamamaniacs will look to discredit him.
This i am afraid is how it goes if you oppose the One.
Good for Father Frank.
I like him. He’s a regular on EWTN.
have to imagine this will be covered live. one can only hope there are a great many empty seats staring back up at mr one term.
Here! Here!
Great post!
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