Daly's club and others with similar views are in the process of trying to decide how to move their protest forward. National Catholic organizations, meanwhile, are attempting to mobilize opposition to Obama's selection by reaching out to alums of the school and others.
The Cardinal Newman Society, an organization dedicated to the "renewal" of the nation's Catholic colleges and universities, has issued an "urgent alert" on its website. As of midmorning Tuesday, the organization said that more than 60,000 people had signed an online petition to stop the "scandal" at the university.
The Pro-Life Action League is urging supporters to call in protests to university President Rev. John I. Jenkins and ask him to uninvite Obama.
Jenkins issued a statement making clear that he had no plans to rescind the invitation.
"Presidents from both parties have come to Notre Dame for decades to speak to our graduates -- and to our nation and world -- about a wide range of pressing issues, from foreign policy to poverty, from societal transformation to social service," he said.
"We will honor Mr. Obama as an inspiring leader who faces many challenges -- the economy, two wars, and healthcare, immigration and education reform -- and is addressing them with intelligence, courage and honesty.
"It is of special significance that we will hear from our first African American president, a person who has spoken eloquently and movingly about race in this nation. Racial prejudice has been a deep wound in America, and Mr. Obama has been a healer."
Jenkins told the campus newspaper, the Observer, the school is not honoring Obama for his stands on issues, but rather his leadership.
"The invitation of President Obama to be our commencement speaker should in no way be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of life, such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research," he told the paper. "You cannot change the world if you shun the people you want to persuade."
Obama's May 17 speech in South Bend is one of three commencement addresses he is expected to give this spring. He also has agreed to speak at Arizona State University and the U.S. Naval Academy.
As part of his visit, Obama is expected to be awarded an honorary degree, making him the ninth president to receive one from Notre Dame.
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jmccormick@tribune.com
