It has been a long time since Notre Dame ruled the world of college football. The last national championship was in 1988 which means there are students enrolled at Notre Dame who were not born the last time the Irish ruled the roost. You could even make the argument that recently Notre Dame has not even been the best Catholic school to play big time football and there are only two in division one, the other being Boston College and BC has had Notre Dame’s number the last few years.

Still there is ample proof that Notre Dame remains America’s pre-eminent Catholic University. How else can you explain the national debate that has been non-stop ever since it was announced that President Obama will be the commencement speaker in May. Late last week the Chicago Tribune had both an editorial (questioning the comments of Cardinal George) and an op-ed piece by William Daley (supporting the invitation).

All of this has to do, as you can read in my previous post, with Obama’s position of pro-choice and the Catholic Church’s position on abortion. So a difference of opinion over the invitation is understandable. But the situation is getting out of hand and I am concerned that what should be a glorious day for the senior class is going to be tarnished. That would be a shame.

Shouldn’t universities be an oasis where people of good will who differ have an opportunity to discuss their views in an atmosphere free of ill will?

To that end I have a suggestion. Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins should send a second invitation to President Obama.

This time ask the President to come to South Bend a little earlier than planned and that he join a cross section of the University in a town hall meeting.  Yes, we will discuss abortion and the church but also a woman’s right to decide what to do with her body.   But lets go even a few more steps.   Let us all talk about joining together to dramatically reduce the number of abortions in this country.   Also how can we increase the options for adoptions that neither make people jump through hoops or take out a second mortgage to pay for it.  Isn’t a university the perfect setting for such a discussion?   I think it is and I also think it would prove to the world that Notre Dame is America’s pre-eminent Catholic University.