Former Notre Dame professor cuts ties with university over abortion controversy

A law professor and a retired research professor at the University of Notre Dame told Fox News Digital that they were cutting ties with the university’s Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, protesting the institute’s appointment of a professor who publicly supports abortion.

“I confirm that I resigned yesterday from my position as a Liu Institute Faculty Fellow and member of the Faculty Executive Committee, submitting my resignation to the University President, Provost, Dean of the Keough School, and current Liu Institute Director,” Diane A. Desierto, professor of law and global affairs, said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

Additionally, in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Robert M. Gimello, a research professor of theology, informed Michel Hockx, director of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies at the University of Notre Dame, that he did not wish to become a member of the institute following the appointment of Susan Ostermann.

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Notre Dame announced Jan. 8 that Ostermann, who joined the university in 2017 as a professor of global affairs, will assume the role of director of the Asian studies center in July.

“Dear Michel: It is with horror and sadness that I write to tell you that the recent appointment of your successor as Director of the Liu Center obliges me to resign from my position as Member Emeritus of the Center,” Gimello wrote in an emailed letter to Hockx on Monday. he wrote.

“Please remove my name and photo from the Liu Institute’s list,” Gimello added. “I can only hope and pray for a future in which the Institute will fulfill its proper role as a faithful instrument of our University’s Catholic mission.”

Gimello is not listed as a Liu Institute emeritus fellow at his university biography pagebut other profiles of Gimello list it like a friend.

Ostermann in 2022 co-authored an article With former Notre Dame professor Tamara Kay, titled “Lies about abortion have defined our health policy.”

In the article, Ostermann and Kay argued: “Almost 90% of abortions occur during pregnancy.” first 10 weeks of pregnancy when there is no baby or fetus. “There are only blastocysts or embryos that are too small to be seen on an abdominal ultrasound.”

They also called the claim that abortion is dangerous a “lie”, writing: “This is far from the truth. Research shows that abortion is safe and has no long-term effects on the physical or body.” sanity“

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University of Notre Dame Campus, including the Golden Dome, Sacred Heart Basilica, and Washington Hall. (Aaron Yoder via Getty Images)

The authors also wrote that abortion “does not cause cancer, does not affect future fertility, and most people feel relieved after an abortion and do not regret their decision.” Medication abortions up to 11 weeks are usually performed using mifepristone and misoprostol and are safer than having an abortion. Tylenol”

in another way 2022 article In the headline “Forced pregnancy and birth are violence against women, and it’s also terrible health policy,” published by Salon, Ostermann and Kay wrote: “Criminalizing abortion would result in irreparable harm. In fact, it would have the opposite policy effect of what anti-abortion advocates say they want: It could increase abortion rates, unintended pregnancies, and infant deaths.”

They also wrote: “Access to abortion literally enhances freedom. Consistent with holistic human development that emphasizes social justice and human dignity, access to abortion respects the inherent dignity of women, their freedom to make choices, and their freedom to assess the medical and other risks associated with pregnancy and birth.”

Gimello told Fox News Digital that his resignation stemmed from Ostermann’s public defense of abortion.

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Ostermann and her co-author Kay wrote that it is a “lie” that abortion is dangerous, writing: “This is far from the truth. Research shows that abortion is safe and has no long-term effects on physical or mental health.” (iStock)

“You are right to think that the main reason for my resignation is that the administrators of the world’s leading Catholic university chose to appoint as director of the Liu Institute of Asia and Asian Studies an academic who has repeatedly, publicly and decisively declared (sometimes to the point of contempt, in my opinion) the Catholic Church’s strict teaching that the protection and nurturing of human life is something sacred from the moment of birth to natural death. “It is the duty of the entire human community,” Gimello said.

He added: “A continued formal association with a unit of the University headed by such an individual is in my view absolutely unconscionable – regardless of the significant talents and achievements that the appointee might otherwise bring to the job.”

Gimello also expressed concern that Ostermann’s appointment would confuse those outside Notre Dame about the university’s commitment to its Catholic identity.

“I am also a scholar whose work focuses primarily on Asia, particularly the religious and intellectual traditions of Asia, both in themselves and in comparison with Christianity,” he said. “The Liu Institute is not only Notre Dame’s main body for Asian studies; it is also the main conduit for institutional relations with Asia. In a sense, it is the ‘Asian face’ of Notre Dame.”

Gimello said he was concerned that Ostermann’s appointment would confuse those outside Notre Dame about the university’s commitment to its Catholic identity. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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“Questions and debates about the nature and value of human life (especially questions about abortion, population control, euthanasia, etc.) are, of course, central to the intellectual, religious and ethical traditions of all Asian countries, especially in these troubled and contentious times,” Gimello said. he said.

“Therefore, I believe it is crucial for Notre Dame’s outreach to Asia to faithfully represent to Asia and Asian Studies interlocutors the views of the Catholic Church on these most fundamental issues,” he added. “I doubt that Notre Dame could do justice to Catholic efforts in and about Asia, even if it sought to quash the hostility of anyone so hostile to or opposed to these views—and this new appointee clearly appears to be so. I now fear that this appointment will demonstrate to our Asian partners and to Asian scholars at other institutions here and abroad that Notre Dame is in deep disagreement with the Church it claims to represent in areas of higher education.”

Notre Dame told Fox News Digital they stand by their previous statement regarding Ostermann’s appointment.

“Gimello retired from the Department of Theology in 2017 and has not been an active member of either the Department of Theology or the Liu Institute since that date. Until recently, he was listed as an honorary member of the Liu Institute as a matter of professional courtesy,” a university-affiliated representative said. he said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ostermann for comment.