Former US Ambassador to the Holy See, Professor Mary Ann Glendon, will
receive Notre Dame University's prestigious Laetare Medal at the 2009
Commencement ceremony which will also be addressed by President Barack
Obama.
The Laetare Medal is "the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics," a University statement says, and has been awarded annually since 1883 to a Catholic "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity."
Glendon, who served as ambassador to the Holy See in 2008, is currently the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. She is also the current president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, appointed to that position by Pope John Paul II in 1994. She was the first woman to be named president of one of the major pontifical academies. She also served on the President's Council on Bioethics under President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2005, The Observer says.
University President Fr. John Jenkins called Glendon "a remarkable woman" who "has lived a life of service to the Church" in an interview with The Observer Sunday.
"She's probably the most powerful spokesperson for the Catholic viewpoint in our world today," Fr Jenkins said.
Fr Jenkins described Glendon as "a compelling expositor of Catholic social teaching who exemplifies our University's most cherished values and deserves its highest praise."
Jenkins said Sunday that Glendon's presence at Commencement - where President Barack Obama is scheduled to give the main address - will be a strong representation of the Catholic viewpoint.
"In inviting President Obama, we will listen to him. But I think it's important he will listen to others. And I can't think of a better spokesperson for the Catholic viewpoint than Mary Ann Glendon," Jenkins said. "We're very honored to have her."
Past award recipients include former President John F. Kennedy, former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., jazz great Dave Brubeck and actor and activist Martin Sheen, Associated Press says.
SOURCE
Former ambassador to Vatican will receive Laetare Medal (Notre Dame Observer)
Former ambassador to Vatican to be honored (Associated Press)
LINKS
Laetare Medal (Wikipedia)
Mary Ann Glendon (Wikipedia)