President Barack Obama gives a “thumbs up” to the cheering crowd as he arrives for commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)(AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, Steve Apps)

Obama Wins Over Notre Dame University Audience

Protesters did not want him to speak because he supports
women’s rights to have an abortion

Weeks of controversy led up to an important speech that President Barack Obama delivered. Obama was the main speaker at the graduation at the University Of Notre Dame.

The controversy involved the issue of abortion. Obama has supported a woman’s right to have an abortion. Notre Dame is a major Catholic university. The Catholic Church is opposed to abortion.

Many people complained for weeks that Obama should not be allowed to speak to the 2009 graduating class because of his views on abortion. About 40 protesters were arrested by police. 

The president spoke at the graduation ceremony May 17th in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame’s main campus is in South Bend.

Obama did not defend his views on abortion
Obama did not defend his position on abortion. He also did not change his position.   

Instead, the president said he knows the issue is going to be debated for a long time. He called for people on both sides of the issue to have “open hearts,” “open minds” and to use “fair-minded words.”

Obama said people should consider the views of people on both sides of the issue. He said “...we can still agree that this heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not made casually. It has both moral and spiritual dimensions.”

The president was greeted with continued applause when he listed a number of suggestions. Obama called on people to work together to reduce the number of women needing to have abortions. He said they should also seek to reduce the number of un-intended pregnancies.

Find ways to reduce the need for abortion
“Let’s make adoption more available,” Obama said. “Let’s provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term. Let’s honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion....”

The president said it is important that “all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women.”  

Obama said the views of most Americans on the issue are complex and even contradictory. He said the fact is that the views of the two sides will not change.