Catholic University Invites Pro-Abortion Nancy Pelosi
Notre Dame de Namur University has invited former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to serve as the commencement speaker for its graduation ceremony on May 2, 2026.
Founded in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the Catholic university in California is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, making the invitation particularly troubling.
The decision to invite Pelosi has raised concerns among Catholics nationwide, given her notorious and long-standing public support for abortion and the homosexual movement. She has consistently promoted same-sex “marriage” and transgender ideology—positions that directly contradict Catholic moral teaching.
On her website, for example, Pelosi states that she “has been a leading voice in the fight for the rights and dignities of the LGBTQ community” and has “led House Democrats in twice passing the watershed Equality Act: a step to finally, fully guarantee civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Due to her persistent pro-abortion stance, Pelosi was barred from receiving Holy Communion in her home diocese in 2022 by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.
At that time, the former Speaker of the House was formally admonished: “Therefore, in light of my responsibility as the Archbishop of San Francisco to be ‘concerned for all the Christian faithful entrusted to [my] care’ (Code of Canon Law, can. 383, §1), by means of this communication I am hereby notifying you that you are not to present yourself for Holy Communion and, should you do so, you are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, until such time as you publicly repudiate your advocacy for the legitimacy of abortion and confess and receive absolution of this grave sin in the sacrament of Penance.” [emphasis in original]
However, the university is standing by its decision.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to Notre Dame de Namur University,” said Dr. Beth Martin, president of NDNU. “Her lifelong commitment to public service, leadership, and advocacy for justice reflects the very values that define an NDNU education and the enduring legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. During this 175th anniversary year of the Sisters in California, her presence powerfully affirms the impact of faith-inspired education on the world.”
The university further stated: “Her career exemplifies courage, perseverance, and a steadfast belief in the role of education as a force for positive change.”
Catholic students have expressed deep concern over the university’s decision to honor a political leader whose public record goes against God.
“The abortion issue is black and white,” said TFP Student Action director John Ritchie. “If a child can see why abortion is immoral, why is Notre Dame de Namur attempting to justify its commencement invitation to Nancy Pelosi, a lifelong advocate of killing innocent and defenseless babies in the maternal womb?”
“There is nothing remotely just about promoting the sin of abortion and calling it advocacy for justice,” Ritchie said. “You cannot claim to be a good Catholic or a champion of justice and at the same time promote some of the greatest injustices of all time: the deliberate murder of the innocent by abortion and contraception, as well as the redefinition of God’s plan for marriage.”
Throughout her political career, Nancy Pelosi has attacked the sacred institution of marriage in favor of immoral same-sex unions.
Yet the Catholic Church consistently and authoritatively teaches that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and can in no case be approved” (CCC 2357; Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). Likewise, “since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable” (CCC 2271).
In light of these teachings, the university’s decision raises serious questions about its Catholic identity. How can a Catholic institution give a platform to a public figure whose positions directly contradict core moral doctrines of the Church? Such an invitation risks creating confusion among the faithful and may be seen as endorsing positions that clearly conflict with natural and divine law.
Sign your protest to stop Nancy Pelosi at Notre Dame de Namur.