Protests over Obama’s support for abortion rights

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama joined commencement ceremonies yesterday at North America’s leading Catholic university – amid protests over his support of abortion rights and stem cell research.

Obama, wearing the blue gown of the University of Notre Dame, received a lengthy ovation from students and spectators when he walked onto the stage to deliver a speech expected to touch on the debate that has roiled the campus for weeks. In recent days, protests over his appearance and the honorary degree to be conferred on him built to the point that police arrested 19 demonstrators on Saturday and at least another five yesterday.

Those arrested included Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as “Roe” in the Roe v Wade case that led to the Supreme Court decision legalising abortion. She has since opposed abortion and was part of a 200-person protest at the university’s gate.

“Shame on Notre Dame”, read one sign at the university’s gate. Another declared “Stop Abortion Now”.

In Washington yesterday, the head of the Republican Party said Obama should be denied the honorary degree.

Obama supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare. The Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations hold that abortion and the use of embryos for stem cell research amount to the destruction of human life and are morally wrong and should be banned by law.

The contrary argument holds that women have the right to terminate a pregnancy and that unused embryos created outside the womb for couples who cannot otherwise conceive should be available for stem cell research. Such research holds the promise of finding treatments for debilitating ailments.

Within weeks of taking office in January, Obama eased an executive order by President George W Bush that limited research to a small number of stem-cell strains.

Obama’s appearance at Notre Dame would appear to be complicated by new polls that show Americans’ attitudes on the issue have shifted toward the anti-abortion position.

A Gallup survey released on Friday found that 51% of those questioned call themselves “pro-life” on the issue of abortion and 42% “pro-choice”. This is the first time a majority of US adults have identified themselves as “pro-life” since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

The Rev John Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, has not joined the debate that erupted after Obama’s invitation. Friends and colleagues say Jenkins has listened to the criticism but is confident in his decision.

“He respects people who differ, but he’s resolute in his decision because he did it based on conscience and what he really believes in,” said Richard Notebaert, chairman of Notre Dame’s board of trustees.