Pro-Life Advocates Protest Notre Dame’s New Appointment

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The University of Notre Dame, a prominent Catholic institution, is facing a wave of criticism from its community. The controversy began after the university appointed an outspoken advocate for legal abortion to a leadership position. This decision has sparked a fierce debate about the school’s commitment to its Catholic identity and pro-life principles.

The appointment of Susan Ostermann as the new director of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies has drawn sharp condemnation. Many students, faculty, and alumni feel the choice directly contradicts the university’s mission. The backlash highlights a deep division over the direction of one of America’s most famous Catholic universities.

Faculty and Students Voice Opposition

The reaction on campus was swift and strong. Two scholars, Robert Gimello and Diane Desierto, resigned from their roles with the Liu Institute in protest. They stated they could not be associated with a university unit led by someone whose views so starkly oppose the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life.

Gimello called Ostermann a scholar who has shown “contempt for the Catholic Church’s firm teaching” on protecting human life from conception. He described his continued association with the institute as “simply unconscionable.” Desierto, a professor of law and global affairs, also cut ties, reinforcing the faculty’s deep concern over the appointment. This move sends a powerful message that for some, this appointment crosses a fundamental line.

The student body has also been vocal in its opposition. Notre Dame Right to Life, a campus group with over 700 members, issued a letter calling for the university to rescind the appointment. The group’s president, Anna Kelley, a senior who was adopted from China, took the issue personally. She shared how she was blessed to escape the consequences of policies that Ostermann’s work has supported.

“As a Catholic adoptee from China, I take personal offense at this appointment,” Kelley stated in a letter. She explained her personal testimony is a direct result of the gift of life, and she feels compelled to speak out against an ideology that threatens it. The student group’s letter pointed to Ostermann’s inflammatory language, such as linking opposition to abortion to white supremacy in her published works.

A Controversial Record

Susan Ostermann, an associate professor of global affairs and political science, has a well-documented history of pro-abortion advocacy. Between 2022 and 2024, she co-authored numerous columns arguing for legal abortion. Her writings describe laws that protect unborn life as “forced pregnancy” and a form of “violence” against women.

Her advocacy goes further than just writing. Ostermann has previously served as a consultant for the Population Council, an organization that promotes contraception and abortion access globally. This affiliation has drawn significant criticism, particularly because the organization collaborated with the Chinese government during its oppressive one-child policy, which often involved forced abortions and sterilizations.

In her articles, Ostermann has also attacked crisis-pregnancy centers, calling them “anti-abortion rights propaganda sites.” This record has led many to question her suitability for a leadership role at a university that claims to uphold the sanctity of human life. The appointment seems to directly defy the core values the university professes to hold.

The University’s Stance

Despite the growing fallout, the University of Notre Dame has stood by its decision. In a statement, the university defended Ostermann as a “highly regarded political scientist and legal scholar” and a “deeply committed educator.” The administration affirmed its belief that she is well-prepared to lead the institute and advance its mission.

The university also addressed the conflict over Ostermann’s views, stating that leaders must be guided by the school’s Catholic mission. “Notre Dame’s commitment to upholding the inherent dignity of the human person and the sanctity of life at every stage is unwavering,” the statement read. However, for many critics, these words ring hollow in the face of their actions.

Ostermann herself responded to the controversy by committing to “maintaining an environment of academic freedom.” She stated that her role is to support the research of scholars and students, not to advance a personal agenda. But for those who believe that protecting life is a sacred duty, this separation is not possible. The controversy continues to raise serious questions about whether a Catholic institution can remain true to its faith while promoting individuals who publicly reject its most fundamental moral teachings.

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