News

April 28, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bradley Mattes, Executive Director of Life Issues Institute, announced today that they will present the group’s prestigious “Hero at Heart” award to Mary Ann Glendon, former Ambassador to the Vatican. The honor is given annually to individuals who demonstrate outstanding courage or compassion on behalf of innocent human life. Recipients have included Congressman Henry Hyde and former Kansas Attorney General, Phill Kline.

Ambassador Glendon recently declined the University of Notre Dame’s most revered honor, the Laetare Medal, which was to be presented to her during the university’s May commencement ceremony.

In a letter to Notre Dame President, Father John Jenkins, Ambassador Glendon made clear her decision was based on the invitation of pro-abortion President Barack Obama to speak at the commencement, as well as presenting him with an honorary doctor of law degree. (See: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042702.html)

The university is currently scrambling to find an alternate designee for the medal.

Mr. Mattes said, “Ambassador Glendon has demonstrated courage and grace in declining this prominent honor. Her action has demonstrated the critical need for all of us to stand up for innocent human life in the face of a pro-abortion president. That’s why she’s a Hero at Heart.”

Both President Obama and the current Congress are the most pro-abortion in the nation’s history. During his first months in office, Mr. Obama has made decisions and appointments which will adversely affect countless lives of America’s innocent unborn babies.

Dr. Willke, President of Life Issues Institute, stated, “Ambassador Glendon’s action has been noticed around the world. She’s sent an unmistakable message that a Catholic university claiming to stand against abortion must be true to their word.”