SOUTH BEND, Ind. — President Barack Obama strode head-on Sunday into the stormy abortion debate and told graduates at America’s leading Roman Catholic university that both sides must stop demonizing one another.
Obama acknowledged that "no matter how much we want to fudge it … the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable.” But he still implored the University of Notre Dame’s graduating class and all in the U.S. to stop "reducing those with differing views to caricature. Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words. It’s a way of life that always has been the Notre Dame tradition.”
One of the noisiest controversies of his young presidency flared after Obama, who supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare, was invited to speak at the school and receive an honorary degree.
The Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, introduced Obama and praised the president for not being "someone who stops talking to those who disagree with him.”
Jenkins said too little attention has been paid to Obama’s decision to speak at an institution that opposes his abortion policy.
Not backing down
The president, in prepared remarks released by the White House, ceded no ground.
But he said those on each side of the debate "can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both moral and spiritual dimensions.
"So let’s work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies, and making adoption more available, and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term.”
Meanwhile, at least 27 protesters were arrested on trespassing charges, said Sgt. Bill Redman of the St. Joseph’s County Police Department.
by the associated press
Obama acknowledged that "no matter how much we want to fudge it … the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable.” But he still implored the University of Notre Dame’s graduating class and all in the U.S. to stop "reducing those with differing views to caricature. Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words. It’s a way of life that always has been the Notre Dame tradition.”
One of the noisiest controversies of his young presidency flared after Obama, who supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare, was invited to speak at the school and receive an honorary degree.
The Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, introduced Obama and praised the president for not being "someone who stops talking to those who disagree with him.”
Jenkins said too little attention has been paid to Obama’s decision to speak at an institution that opposes his abortion policy.
Not backing down
The president, in prepared remarks released by the White House, ceded no ground.
But he said those on each side of the debate "can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both moral and spiritual dimensions.
"So let’s work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies, and making adoption more available, and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term.”
Meanwhile, at least 27 protesters were arrested on trespassing charges, said Sgt. Bill Redman of the St. Joseph’s County Police Department.
by the associated press
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