Notre Dame Should Rescind Pro-Abortion Professor's Leadership Appointment to Preserve Catholic Identity
Source: Breccan F. Thies. "Bishops Ask Notre Dame To Recall Pro-Abortion Prof's Appointment." February 11, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Notre Dame University should cancel the appointment of Professor Susan Ostermann to lead an academic institute because her strong support for abortion rights conflicts with the school's Catholic values. The author believes Catholic universities should not put people in leadership positions who actively oppose fundamental Catholic teachings.
Conclusion
The University of Notre Dame should rescind Susan Ostermann's appointment to lead the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies because her pro-abortion views are incompatible with the university's Catholic mission and identity.
Premises
- Ostermann is outspoken in her advocacy for abortion and publicly criticizes the Catholic Church's pro-life teachings
- She has made claims that being pro-life has roots in white supremacy and racism, and is embedded with misogyny
- Ostermann works as a consultant for the Population Council, an organization dedicated to promoting abortion worldwide
- She has distorted the Catholic principle of 'integral human development' to support abortion on demand, contrary to Holy See teachings
- Administrative appointments have profound impact on Notre Dame's public witness as a Catholic university, unlike regular faculty positions protected by academic freedom
- Notre Dame's Catholic identity has already been diminishing due to DEI policies that prioritize race and gender quotas over Catholic mission
- Multiple Catholic bishops, including Bishop Rhoades who leads the local diocese, oppose this appointment
Assumptions
- Catholic universities should prioritize their religious mission over other considerations when making leadership appointments
- Administrative positions carry greater responsibility for institutional identity than regular faculty positions
- Public advocacy against core Catholic teachings disqualifies someone from Catholic university leadership
- The authority of Catholic bishops should influence Catholic university decisions
- Notre Dame's Catholic identity is worth preserving and is currently under threat