NEWARK, June 4, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Catholic Seton Hall Law School has been reprimanded by the Bishop of Newark for awarding a prize to a pro-abortion judge. Protesters accompanied the ceremony, carrying signs that said, “Shame on Seton Hall.” Judge Maryanne Trump Barry was awarded the Sandra Day O’Connor Medal of Honor for her contribution to law and public service.
Judge Barry’s was the decision that overturned New Jersey’s partial birth abortion ban in 2000. Barry’s bishop, Archbishop John Myers, wrote a statement condemning the awarding of a pro-abortion judge in the diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Advocate. Myers wrote, “For those who were shocked and dismayed by the action, I can only say that I share your sentiments. Both Justice O’Connor and Judge Barry have demonstrated a lack of support for pro-life issues. I find this action profoundly offensive and contrary to the Catholic mission and identity of Seton Hall Law School, Seton Hall University and the Archdiocese of Newark.” Archbishop Myers is head of the Seton Hall University’s board of trustees.
American Life League organized the protest on the day the award was granted. “The American Life League is here today because Seton Hall is a Catholic university and we don’t believe that they should be hiring or honoring abortion supporters,” one protester said. Some protesters expressed their disappointment at what was perceived to be the bishop’s lack of action. “The archbishop copped out … He was condoning it by non-action,” Starrs said. “This is a diocesan university. The archbishop could have pulled the plug at the snap of his fingers, but he chose not to. He should have done something about it.”
In the statement Myers vowed to make changes at the University that would prevent such an event being repeated. Former recipients of the award have included the militantly pro-abortion senator Hillary Rhodam Clinton.