Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, whose infamous 1984 speech at the University of Notre Dame defended Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, has now declined an offer to return to Notre Dame for a debate over the university’s planned honor to President Barack Obama on May 17.

The news immediately followed complaints from Notre Dame students that university president Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. refused to meet with them regarding Notre Dame’s plan to provide an honorary law degree and commencement platform to pro-abortion President Obama.

“We are finding that people love the idea of dialogue, but they aren’t really interested in engaging in it,” Notre Dame student John Daly told the South Bend Tribune.

A coalition of student groups called ND Response invited Cuomo to debate Princeton University law professor Robert George. Rather than engage in debate, Cuomo declined the invitation but supported the honor to President Obama in a Tribune interview.

“The Notre Dame students who are fighting for their university’s Catholic identity are finding that no one will engage them in dialogue, because a Catholic university providing an honor to someone with President Obama’s record on life issues is indefensible,” said Patrick J. Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society.