’s University of Notre Dame faculty colleagues, I congratulate her on her nomination to the Supreme Court. Though we never crossed paths on campus, I acknowledge her stellar work—but am troubled by the circumstances of her meritorious rise.
As an institution, a crucial part of Notre Dame’s mission is the advancement of social justice. Faculty, administrators and students are called upon to uphold the values that are consonant with this idea, the high causes of fairness, equality, love for one’s fellow human being, and in that light, charity. Barrett’s commitment to Notre Dame is fortified by a separate commitment to the law, which also seeks to uphold these values.
Four years ago, Merrick Garland was in place to be nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barrack Obama, several months before the 2016 presidential election, butNow just weeks before the 2020 election, Barrett’s nomination is rushed; the Senate, with its majority, is within its rights to hold confirmation hearings. But though it has the right, this does not make it right.