To the editor:

Bill Skepnek’s letter of May 5 is typical of someone who does not understand the Catholic faith and its teachings. First, Father Jenkins and the (Notre Dame) board of trustees should never have offered President Obama an invitation to speak because it was in direct opposition to the instructions of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. When called on his public embarrassment, his retort was to offer Professor Clendon as a token for “balance.” Clendon decided, after the excuses were made to the media, to withdraw her acceptance of the award.

She was the ambassador to the Vatican because of her pro-life views. President Obama has offered three candidates as ambassador to the Vatican and all have been rejected specifically because of their pro-abortion stance. President Obama doesn’t get it.

In a society that has become more about what is “fair” than what is right or wrong, Mary Ann Clendon is standing on principle, principles that are the bedrock of our faith. One of those principles is that a human life begins at conception. To end that life artificially is murder. To appoint leaders that support it, to remove restrictions on it, and to fund it worldwide are all absolutely opposed to what our faith teaches.

To allow a speaker to be honored at a university that is supposed to uphold those ideals is an embarrassment. Many great people before us gave their lives to stand on faith rather than cave to societal or governmental influence. Bravo Professor Clendon!