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Poll: Notre Dame Erred By Inviting Obama
By MICHAEL P. TREMOGLIE, The Bulletin
A recent Rasmussen poll found 52 percent of Americans believe the University of Notre Dame should have followed guidelines set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and not award an honorary degree to President Barack Obama because he has acted in opposition to the Catholic Church’s moral principles.
The national telephone survey found that 25 percent believe the university should issue the degree and 19 percent are not sure.
The guidelines set by the bishops in 2004 said, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
The breakdown of respondents by religious affiliation was not surprising.
“By a 60 percent to 25 percent margin, U.S. Catholics say the university should not award an honorary degree to the president," said the Rasmussen Reprot. “66 percent of Evangelical Christians share that view along with 52 percent of other Protestants. Forty-five percent of those who do not have Christian affiliations say the university should give the president the honorary degree."
Sixty-three percent of adults surveyed believe commencement speakers at religious universities should share the views of the university. Fifty-six percent of Catholics say it is at least somewhat important for graduation speakers to share the university’s views at schools with religious affiliations. Eighty-seven percent of Evangelical Christians hold that view. Sixty-three percent of other Protestants. Forty-two percent of non-Christians agree.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be contacted at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us
The national telephone survey found that 25 percent believe the university should issue the degree and 19 percent are not sure.
The guidelines set by the bishops in 2004 said, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
The breakdown of respondents by religious affiliation was not surprising.
“By a 60 percent to 25 percent margin, U.S. Catholics say the university should not award an honorary degree to the president," said the Rasmussen Reprot. “66 percent of Evangelical Christians share that view along with 52 percent of other Protestants. Forty-five percent of those who do not have Christian affiliations say the university should give the president the honorary degree."
Sixty-three percent of adults surveyed believe commencement speakers at religious universities should share the views of the university. Fifty-six percent of Catholics say it is at least somewhat important for graduation speakers to share the university’s views at schools with religious affiliations. Eighty-seven percent of Evangelical Christians hold that view. Sixty-three percent of other Protestants. Forty-two percent of non-Christians agree.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be contacted at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us
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