Supporting Bishop Rhoades

rescission of Susan Ostermann's Appointment to Direct The Liu Institute

an open letter

To Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame

With Copies to: John B. Veihmeyer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame; Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C., Provincial Superior, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Congregation of Holy Cross; The Fellows of the University of Notre Dame

Dear Father Dowd,

As alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Notre Dame, we join Notre Dame’s bishop the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades in calling for the rescission of the appointment of Susan Ostermann as Director of the Lui Institute on Asia and Asian studies.

Our reasons are those given by Bishop Rhoades in his statement of February 11 for his “strong opposition” to the appointment of Professor Ostermann.

"Professor Ostermann’s extensive public advocacy of abortion rights and her disparaging and inflammatory remarks about those who uphold the dignity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death go against a core principle of justice that is central to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and mission.”

Kevin Rhoades, bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., speaks during a news conference at the Fall General Assembly meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Baltimore.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades Bishop of Fort Wayne–South Bend

The force and significance of Bishop Rhoades’s statement is evidenced by its extraordinary endorsement by 15 cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, including Archbishop Paul Coakley of Kansas City, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“I fully support Bishop Kevin Rhoades in his challenge to Notre Dame to rectify its poor judgment.”

The Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley Archbishop of Oklahoma City & USCCB President

Also especially notable is the statement of Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, the nation’s preeminent evangelist, who announced his “strong support” on social media.

"I speak as someone with strong connections to and deep affection for the University of Notre Dame. I believe that going ahead with this appointment is repugnant to the identity and mission of that great center of Catholic learning."

Bishop Robert Barron, Bishop of Diocese of Winona-Rochester speaks at the ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) conference in London, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron Bishop of Winona–Rochester

The list of episcopal supporters of the Rhoades statement includes the following bishops — notably including a Notre Dame alumnus, Bishop Michael Sis (Class of 1982):

Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun
Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the US Military Services
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco
Bishop Robert Barron of Winona–Rochester
Bishop Anthony Bedoy of Reno
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington
Bishop James Conley of Lincoln
Bishop Donald Hying of Madison
Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield
Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay
Michael J. Sis of San Angelo
Bishop Joseph Strickland
Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo
Bishop James Wall of Gallup

The elevation to a position of prominence and influence of a relentless public adversary of the Church on a moral issue of surpassing importance is a scandal of the highest order.

We earnestly urge you to rescind this appointment.