South Bend, Indiana – March 2 , 2008 – The University of Notre Dame has announced today the Hollywood Actor and human rights activist Martin Sheen will be awarded Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal for 2008, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics.

Though described as an "opponent of abortion" by the university in their press release, Sheen’s opposition to abortion is questionable. In 2004 Sheen’s name was listed as one of the supporters of "March For Women’s Lives" an event organized by NOW, the American Civil Liberties Union, and NARAL among other prominent pro-abortion organizations. Though his endorsement was later removed, questions still linger about where he stands on abortion.

Perhaps the clearest indications of Sheen’s position on abortion can be found in an interview with the Progressive Magazine; it can be found in the July 2003 issue. Here is Sheen's response to a question on abortion.

Q: What are your views on abortion? Sheen: I cannot make a choice for a women, particularly a black or brown or poor pregnant woman. I would not make a judgment in the case. As a father and a grandfather, I have had experience with children who don't always come when they are planned, and I have experienced the great joy of God's presence in my children, so I'm inclined to be against abortion of any life. But I am equally against the death penalty or war-- anywhere people are sacrificed for some end justifying a means. I don't think abortion is a good idea. I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that regard because I am not a woman and I could never face the actual reality of it.

Mario Cuomo, John Kerry and of course most recently, Rudy Giuliani have all espoused the "I am personally opposed to abortion but..." position. Most Americans recognize the contradiction in the statement. Is it any different than living next door to a person that is dealing drugs or abusing kids and not reporting it to authorities, because you can’t impose your beliefs, even though you know that what is being done is wrong?

Perhaps Sheen needs to read the Lincoln Douglas debates from more than a century and a half ago. Abraham Lincoln, responding to Stephen Douglas on the topic of slavery said "..he cannot say that people have a right to do wrong." Would Sheen take the same position on slavery that he does on abortion today? Would he say, well I am personally opposed to slavery, but... I am not a slave owner and I don't have the right to impose by beliefs on him? Somehow I doubt it.

Given the U.S. Bishops' document released last fall, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which states that abortion is not just "one issue among many", the recognition of Sheen, for what is, at best, a tepid stand on behalf of the unborn, seems misguided.

 

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