Mary Ann Glendon has too much class for Notre Dame!

Mary Ann Glendon was to be used by Fr Jenkins at Notre Dame to give a speech at the graduation on May 17, to counter the pro-death postion of President Obama. She refused to be used in this manner, to justify disobedience to Catholic teaching. Bravo!
Here is her letter to Fr Jenkins, published in First Things. "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."

Noble words from a noble lady. Fr Jonathan Morris said on Fox News today that she is the most widely respected layman in America. Let's see if she creates a ripple effect on her own. She has elicited a less than noble response from Fr Jenkins. here.

4/49 UPDATE: Francis Beckwith seconds my opinion that re-gifting a Laerte Medal is tacky over at Southern Appeal.

Amy Welborn has commentary on her new blog at Belief Net called Via Media. and the Curt Jestor's commentary.