Bishop to skip Notre Dame commencement over Obama

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Roman Catholic bishop whose diocese includes the University of Notre Dame says he will boycott President Barack Obama's May 17 commencement speech at the Catholic school because of Obama's support for abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.

Bishop John D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend said Tuesday that Obama's recent decision to federally fund embryonic stem-cell research brought the U.S. government for the first time "into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life."

Obama has said the policy will ease human suffering.

Notre Dame says it doesn't support all of Obama's positions but does not plan to rescind the invitation.

Other sitting presidents, including both Bushes, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, also have addressed Notre Dame graduates.