News Reporter: Pro-life Victory at Notre Dame

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Pro-life Victory at Notre Dame

Friend,

We had some promising news today from my alma mater!

It was revealed today that Susan Ostermann, a vociferous supporter of abortion and critic of crisis pregnancy centers, will not become the director of the University of Notre Dame's Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.

This comes after more than a dozen Catholic bishops spoke out against Ostermann's appointment—including the bishop of the university's home diocese and the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pro-life advocates both on and off the Notre Dame campus spoke out, as well.

Business as usual has been disrupted. Approving an appointment that contradicts the faith will not be tried again without consequence.

Still, while Ostermann stepping down is indeed a victory, it is an incomplete victory. The appointment should not have been made in the first place.

I pray this proves to be a watershed moment for the university as it ponders such decisions in the future.

The prayers, sacrifices, and witness of bishops, students, faculty, alumni and Catholics across the country in criticizing the Ostermann appointment are a gift inviting Notre Dame to rise to its Catholic calling. Perhaps the Holy Cross priests and administrators at the helm in South Bend will take a lesson in Christian zeal from the students who build ice chapels and attend daily Masses in their dorms.

The secular world imagines a war between reason and faith. But that's not true.

You can be a first-class institution of higher learning AND maintain a strong Catholic identity. I pray that Notre Dame will lead the way.

Go forward bravely,