Dear Father Dowd:
We are writing as recipients of Notre Dame’s Evangelium Vitae award, given by the university in recognition of our and the University’s shared commitment to the defense of human life from conception to natural death. Numerous justified reactions to the tragic appointment of Professor Susan Ostermann have already reached your desk: shock, scandal, disbelief and outrage among them. We would like to add one more: profound sadness.
Every recipient of this award has, at some point in their work on behalf of life, suffered the “slings and arrows” of the powers that be due to our countercultural insistence upon the value of every human life at every stage. But we suffered them gladly (or sometimes even hardly noticed them!) because our Catholic community, our Catholic faith, accompanied us, shielded us and wielded with intellectual vigor and even joy its 2,000 years of faith and reason in defense of life.
Nothing stings more than betrayal by one’s community — especially by an institution with such an admirable and urgently needed mission. Please ally with us as, together, we make a brave stand for the defense of these defenseless human beings, against the “wisdom of the world” (1 Cor 1:27).
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Helen M. Alvaré
Robert A. Levy Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University
Member, Holy See Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
Mary Louise Solomon
Representing David Solomon, post-mortem recipient (2026) and founder of de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
Richard M. Doerflinger
Adjunct fellow, National Catholic Bioethics Center
Fellow, de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
Corresponding member, Pontifical Academy for Life
Mother Agnes Donovan, S.V.
Founding Superior General, Sisters of Life
Mary Ann Glendon
Professor emerita of law, Harvard University
Phyllis W. Lauinger, M.D.
Mother of eight Notre Dame alumni
Anthony J. Lauinger
Vice President, National Right to Life
Father of eight Notre Dame alumni
William J. Thorn
Professor emeritus of journalism, Marquette University
Feb. 15
