The Catholic University of America (CUA) and the University of Notre Dame both recently hosted a so-called ‘abortion doula’ – individuals who provide emotional and physical support to women undergoing abortions – but their reactions to ensuing backlash varied greatly.
Following a report on an abortion doula’s lecture in a nursing class, CUA swiftly dismissed the host professor, Melissa Goldberg. This follows CUA’s President, Peter Kilpatrick’s declaration of the termination on January 30, citing non-compliance with the university’s mission and identity.
In contrast, the University of Notre Dame, which hosted Ash Williams, an abortion doula who also identifies as transgender, for an online event in March, has yet to issue an apology. The contrast between the two Catholic universities’ responses is stark.
Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, commended CUA’s quick and decisive action and criticized Notre Dame’s apparent dismissal of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades’s public disapproval. In Reilly’s view, Notre Dame’s handling of the incident suggests a disregard for faithful witnesses to Catholic teachings.
Meanwhile, Merlot Fogarty, a senior at the University of Notre Dame and incoming law student at Catholic University, underscored the divergence between the two schools’ handling of the events, praising CUA for taking a stand in accordance with Catholic teachings while criticizing Notre Dame for neglecting its Catholic roots and values.
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