Obama urges dialogue, not demonization, on abortion
By Joseph Williams The Boston Globe May 18, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Obama, in perhaps the most controversial appearance of his presidency, told graduates and faculty at the University of Notre Dame yesterday that both sides in the debate over abortion must engage without "demonizing" each other, and can work together to address one of the root causes of abortion - unintended pregnancies. Tackling an emotionally charged issue he largely managed to avoid during his candidacy, Obama said he doesn't believe the clash over abortion "can or should go away" even though "the views of the two camps are irreconcilable." Yet the "vigorous debate," he said, has to occur "without reducing those with differing views to caricature." Despite the clash, "we can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both moral and spiritual dimensions," Obama said, drawing one of several ovations from the crowd of 12,000 during the speech. Along with curtailing unintended pregnancies, making adoption easier, and treating opponents with respect, the nation must "make sure that all of our healthcare policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science, as well as respect for the equality of women." The speech, which was largely well received by the audience, comes at a critical moment for Obama, who was swept into office largely on national concerns over the Iraq war and the staggering economy. Within months, Obama is expected to name a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, the first of what will probably be a number of nominations to the high court; already, Republicans are marshaling forces on how to contest the president's pick, widely expected to be a moderate liberal, and most likely a woman. Obama, who supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare, was invited to speak at the school and receive an honorary degree, an invitation that sparked outrage among conservative Catholics and antiabortion activists. Students led protests at the school's South Bend, Ind., campus, some members of the graduating class wore crosses and symbols on their mortar boards, and conservatives nationwide used the moment to rally their supporters. While a Gallup poll on abortion found that 51 percent of those questioned call themselves "prolife" - the first time a majority of US adults have identified themselves as such since Gallup began asking this question in 1995 - a Pew Research Center survey found public opinion about abortion is more closely divided than it has been in several years. The debate over Obama's appearance at Notre Dame was more contentious because the Catholic Church in particular holds the belief that abortion and the use of embryos for stem cell research violates the church's tenets against the destruction of human life, and should be banned by law. On the Notre Dame campus, members of an abortion rights group also protested while a plane pulling an antiabortion banner circled above. Yesterday, more than 300 antiabortion demonstrators gathered at the school's front gate ahead of Obama's arrival, the Associated Press reported. More than half held signs, some declaring "Shame on Notre Dame" and "Stop Abortion Now." Tara Makowski of Seattle, who received a master's degree Saturday from the school, told the Associated Press she was dismayed by the way Notre Dame was being characterized. "Seeing us being portrayed nationally as radical conservative has been really tough," she said. "People need to realize that the majority of students and faculty" favored Obama's visit. But Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese, which includes Notre Dame, skipped the president's visit to attend an open-air Mass and rally, and said the students protesting Obama's speech "are heroes, and I'm proud to stand with you." Despite the contentious atmosphere, the audience greeted Obama with thunderous applause and a standing ovation as he entered the arena. In his introduction, the Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, praised Obama for not being "someone who stops talking to those who disagree with him." While critics excoriated Notre Dame for inviting Obama, Jenkins said, too little attention has been paid to Obama's decision to speak at an institution that opposes his abortion policy. Shortly after the president began his speech, at least three protesters interrupted, yelling, "Stop killing our children." An overwhelming number of graduates then booed, began chanting, "We are ND!" and "Yes we can!" - Obama's campaign slogan - and cheered as security led the protesters out. Obama reassured his audience, then smiled and said he was not going to "shy away from things that are uncomfortable sometimes." While most recognize the need to find common ground on issues like abortion, Obama said, part of the problem "lies in the imperfections of man" and an unwillingness to see beyond "immediate self-interest and crass materialism" and the desire of both sides to dominate the discussion. Soldiers and lawyers both love America, "and yet reach very different conclusions on the specific steps needed to protect us from harm," just as gay activists and evangelical ministers want to fight the HIV/AIDS virus but can't agree how, Obama said. Religious opponents of stem cell research, he said, "may be rooted in admirable conviction about the sacredness of life, but so are the parents of a child with juvenile diabetes who are convinced that their son's or daughter's hardships can be relieved." That debate can be resolved, and common ground found, only through good works, kindness, and mutual respect - a fundamental part of all religious traditions, Obama said. As students try to sort out what's true, Obama said, "have confidence in the values with which you've been raised and educated. Be unafraid to speak your mind when those values are at stake," yet recognize that "the ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt. It is the belief in things not seen." If nothing else, the president concluded, the graduates should have faith "that through our collective labor, and God's providence, and our willingness to shoulder each other's burdens, America will continue on its precious journey towards that more perfect union." |
