A leadership appointment at the University of Notre Dame drew sharp opposition this week as Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend warned that naming Associate Professor Susan Ostermann to head the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies risked undermining the Catholic university’s mission. The university plans to implement the decision on July 1, 2026.
In a diocesan statement, officials said Ostermann’s published writings supporting abortion rights and criticising the pro-life movement contradicted Church teaching on the dignity and sanctity of human life. They emphasised that Catholic institutions require their leaders to demonstrate a clear commitment to the Church’s moral teachings, especially regarding the protection of human life.
Church officials warned that the move could create confusion about the university’s Catholic identity among students, former students and the faithful. Bishop Rhoades urged administrators to reconsider. He noted that those in senior roles represent the institution publicly and carry responsibilities beyond academic freedom.
Diocesan officials also cited Church doctrine and recent papal statements affirming the protection of life from conception to natural death as foundational to Catholic education.
Bishop Robert Barron publicly backed the diocesan position. Writing on X, he described the candidate as a vocal critic of the pro-life cause. He maintained that the proposed move was inconsistent with the university’s Catholic mission and values.
Notre Dame has long promoted its pro-life witness and service to vulnerable communities as central to its identity. The diocese said it remained open to dialogue with university leaders and hoped they would make future decisions that better reflected the institution’s Catholic mission.
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