Breaking: Bishop Barron Breaks Silence on Notre Dame’s Woke Professor Appointment

Recent news of the University of Notre Dame’s impending appointment of Professor Susan Auststerman to lead the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies has sparked national outrage among Catholic communities.

Set to take effect on July 1, 2026, this decision has drawn sharp criticism due to Auststerman’s outspoken anti-pro-life stance, which she has linked to white supremacy and racism, directly contradicting Catholic teachings. Bishop Robert Barron, alongside other prominent clerics, has publicly condemned this move, highlighting a troubling trend of political influence overriding theological integrity in Catholic institutions.

Bishop Barron expressed his dismay on X, garnering hundreds of thousands of views, by endorsing Bishop Kevin Rhoades’ detailed statement. Rhoades, the bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, articulated deep concern over Auststerman’s extensive advocacy for abortion rights and her inflammatory rhetoric against pro-life positions.

In nearly a dozen op-eds, she has labeled the pro-life movement as rooted in white supremacy and misogyny, criticized pregnancy resource centers as propaganda sites, and argued that Catholic social doctrine supports abortion—a claim starkly opposed by Church teachings and statements from the Holy See. Rhoades emphasized that such views disqualify her from a leadership role at a Catholic university, as they undermine Notre Dame’s mission and Catholic identity.

The backlash extends beyond clergy. Catholic students at Notre Dame, like Lucy, a vocal critic featured in local media, feel betrayed by the administration’s hypocrisy.

They argue that the university’s push to “be a force for good” clashes with this appointment, which they see as tarnishing Notre Dame’s reputation as a Catholic institution. Lucy urged peers to write to the provost and president, stressing the university’s roots in the faith exemplified by the Virgin Mary’s unplanned pregnancy. Faculty, alumni, and benefactors have also voiced shock and sadness, reflecting widespread confusion over Notre Dame’s fidelity to its mission.

This controversy mirrors broader issues in Catholic education. Michael Knowles and Dr. Ed Feser have shared experiences of being disinvited from Catholic institutions for their conservative stances, while figures like Father James Martin, a pro-LGBTQ advocate, are welcomed to speak on progressive themes.

This disparity suggests a troubling prioritization of political trends over doctrinal fidelity, a concern Bishop Barron called “repugnant” to Notre Dame’s identity as a center of Catholic learning.

Bishop Rhoades calls for rectification, noting there’s still time before July 1, 2026, to reverse this decision. He invokes Pope Francis and St. Teresa, who labeled abortion a destroyer of peace, reinforcing the Church’s consistent ethic of life. The appointment, he argues, isn’t protected by academic freedom as it’s an administrative role impacting Notre Dame’s public witness.

Amidst this cultural clash, voices like Lucy and bishops like Barron and Rhoades stand for truth, urging Christians to resist secular pressures and uphold the Gospel. This situation reflects a deeper struggle: will Catholic institutions remain salt and light, or succumb to cultural lies? There’s still time for repentance and change, ensuring Christ’s kingdom prevails over fleeting political agendas.