Notre Dame Has Abandoned Its Catholic Identity Through Pro-Abortion Faculty Appointments
Source: https://www.facebook.com/americanspectator/. "Notre Dame: Catholic No More? | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics." March 1, 2026. spectator.org
The Gist
The author argues that Notre Dame University is no longer truly Catholic because its leaders keep hiring and promoting people who support abortion, which goes against basic Catholic beliefs. The university's pattern of honoring pro-abortion politicians and activists shows it has abandoned its religious mission.
Conclusion
The University of Notre Dame is no longer authentically Catholic due to its leadership's failure to uphold fundamental Catholic teachings
Premises
- The Catholic Church unequivocally condemns abortion as the murder of unborn children, as stated in the Catechism
- Notre Dame promoted Susan Ostermann, a vocal abortion activist whose views directly contradict Catholic doctrine
- Notre Dame's administration refused to rescind Ostermann's promotion even when pressured by multiple bishops and Cardinal Dolan
- Notre Dame has a pattern of honoring pro-abortion figures including Obama (2009), Biden (Laetare Medal and 2021 commencement), and hiring Pete Buttigieg (2020)
- The university has consistently moved away from Catholic principles by establishing LGBT organizations (2012) and extending benefits to same-sex couples (2014)
- Notre Dame was founded as a Catholic institution by Fr. Edward Sorin in 1842 and should maintain fidelity to Catholic teaching
Assumptions
- Catholic universities have an obligation to uphold and promote Catholic moral teachings
- Institutional actions and appointments reflect the authentic beliefs and commitments of leadership
- There is an objective standard of Catholic orthodoxy that can be measured
- A university cannot be authentically Catholic while promoting views that contradict core Catholic doctrines