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Graphic Abortion Signs Flown Over Notre Dame Campus and Shown on Sides of Trucks

By Kathleen Gilbert

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, May 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Center for Bioethical Reform (CBR) is stirring controversy on Notre Dame's campus, where the group is displaying images of aborted children in silent protest against the honor to be conferred on pro-abortion President Obama at this year's commencement ceremony.

CBR has stated that they will continue to display the graphic photos in hand-held signs, on the sides and backs of a fleet of billboard trucks, and on aerial signs that are being flown over the campus until after the graduation ceremonies May 17. On that day, President Obama is due to receive an honorary law degree and deliver the commencement speech.

"Fr. John Jenkins, the university's president, assures us that he isn't making a moral statement that the university supports abortion. He is, however, making a political statement that abortion doesn't matter very much," stated a CBR press release.  "For Mr. Obama, this is an empowering declaration. His purpose in coming to Notre Dame isn't to convert Catholics on abortion, it is to convince Catholics that abortion is a matter of little consequence."

Regarding Notre Dame Bishop John D'Arcy's request that pro-life demonstrations not be "unhelpful" or "unseemly," CBR responded that their images "are 'unseemly' because abortion is 'unseemly' but they will be displayed quite peacefully." 

"Terrible photographs have helped end child labor abuses, civil rights injustices, and America's involvement in ill-conceived wars; and terrible photographs will help end abortion, even if pro-life activists must show them over the objection of prolife pacifists," stated CBR.

So far, at least 59 U.S. bishops and over 340,000 petitioning Catholics have condemned the Obama honor, while University President Fr. John Jenkins has said the school is "tremendously proud" to host Obama.

One graduating senior at Notre Dame emailed Gregg Cunningham, CBR executive director, to complain that the "disturbing" images made her feel "uncomfortable," and were disrespectful and inappropriate for the occasion.

In response, Cunningham wrote: "If you think abortion photos are 'disturbing' why aren't you more disturbed by abortion itself?  Why do you care more about your own 'comfort' than you care about the survival of the little children who are being slaughtered? 

"Is that what the priests taught you at Notre Dame; that your comfort is more important than someone else's life?"

Cunningham noted that his group has witnessed the positive effect of such images in the past on those who had not previously been aware of the true nature of abortion. 

"Many of your classmates have had abortions and many more will have them in the future," he wrote.  "Some of these students, at least those with functioning consciences, could be talked into saving their babies if they were forced to look at what abortion is and does.  ... These students need truth more than they need comfort."

"You say Mr. Obama is coming to honor you," said Cunningham.  "We are going to make your class look at the hidden reality for which he stands and then you can all better decide how much of an honor his presence actually confers on you and your classmates."

To visit the CBR website: http://www.abortionNO.org 

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