Notre Dame: 19,500 Pro-Lifers Urge Fr. Jenkins to “Drop Charges”

Over 19,500 petitions have been signed and sent to the president of the University of Notre Dame, Fr. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. The steady flow of online petitions urges Notre Dame to drop the criminal trespass charges leveled against 88 pro-life advocates who walked onto campus earlier this year during commencement exercises when pro-abortion president Obama was granted an honorary law degree.

SIGN YOUR PETITION NOW

Shortly after TFP Student Action launched its petition on September 15, Fr. Jenkins announced his plans to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22. He also established a “Task Force on Supporting the Choice for Life.”

Although laudable in itself, Fr. Jenkins’ announcement left countless faithful puzzled: How can a Catholic priest refuse lenience for 88 peaceful pro-life advocates, while making plans to attend the March for Life? Indeed, it is difficult not to see the blaring contradiction, especially when those facing charges of up to one year in jail include an elderly Catholic priest, nuns, and Norma McCorvey, the “Roe” of the Roe v. Wade decision, who now opposes abortion.

The “Dialogue” that Wasn’t

Some petition signers received reply emails from Fr. Jenkins stating that the University of Notre Dame is “not in any position” to drop the trespass charges. However, Mr. Thomas Dixon, the attorney defending the pro-lifers in conjunction with the Thomas More Society of Chicago, stated that if Fr. Jenkins wanted the cases to be dismissed, “…there would be absolutely no reason for Mike Dvorak [Saint Joseph County prosecutor] not to respect those wishes.” (National Catholic Register, 09-18-09)

“With every new petition collected and phone call made, I’m hopeful Fr. Jenkins will finally decide to step in and ask the country prosecutor to drop the charges,” said TFP Student Action Director John Ritchie. “There’s no conceivable reason why these 88 pro-lifers should have a Damocles sword hovering over their heads for simply praying the rosary on campus.”

Double Standard in Play

On FreeTheNd88.org, attorney Mr. Thomas M. Dixon, states:

“To be clear, my clients were arrested by Notre Dame because Notre Dame was uncomfortable with the content of their speech, plain and simple. Father Weslin was arrested at Notre Dame while carrying a cross and praying the rosary. Several others were arrested for carrying signs that read or showed the horrors of abortion. Dr. Alan Keyes was arrested while praying the rosary, while a young man standing near to him was allowed to protest, carrying a homemade sign that read ‘F--- You if you don’t support President Obama.’”

What Can We Do Next?

If you already signed the online petition to Notre Dame, please take an extra moment to forward the TFP petition to likeminded friends and family members or even your entire email list.

Forward the urgent petition now

Call Fr. Jenkins’ office, and politely ask him to take effective measures to free the 88 pro-lifers of charges.

Call: 574-631-3903
Email: president@nd.edu

Thank you for signing the petition. Let us redouble our prayers on behalf of the 88 pro-life advocates so that the charges are indeed dropped soon. And may our peaceful efforts help restore the true Catholic identity of an institution which carries the name of Our Blessed Mother and thus repair the scandal caused to so many souls.

See a video clip of Fr. Weslin’s arrest at Notre Dame

TFP Student Action in the news: Pro-Lifers urge Notre Dame to choose life


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