The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) lauds the Franciscan University of Steubenville students who provided a pro-life witness during former President Bill Clinton’s appearance in the Ohio city on Sunday.

Despite the peaceful profession of their views, inside and outside the public school where the Hillary Clinton rally was held, the former president lashed out at the students. Clinton is quoted as saying, “You wanna criminalize women and their doctors, and we disagree.”

In a film clip captured on YouTube, he added, “If you were really pro-life, if you were really pro-life, you would want to put every doctor and every mother as an accessory to murder in prison.” Both he and his wife are strong supporters of abortion access.

CNS president Patrick J. Reilly said, “We commend these students for living their faith in the public arena. Exercising First Amendment rights is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and what better way to do so than defending the sanctity of human life.

“It is tragic to see a former President react so vehemently to peaceful protest. You would expect something more from a lawyer and long-time public servant. But perhaps his interest in sustaining and promoting the abortion agenda trumps respectable behavior.”

The 100 Franciscan University students who came to the event were part of a peaceful, prayerful protest not sponsored by the university. Most were praying the Rosary outside the building, while some carried pro-life signs into the auditorium. The one heckler at the event was not a student.

Billy Valentine, a student organizer for the event, told CNS, “The purpose of our protest was to give a voice to the unborn who can’t speak for themselves and to help build a culture of life.”

Pope Benedict XVI—who will address the presidents of U.S. Catholic colleges in April—and his predecessor Pope John Paul II have urged students and Catholic educators to stand up for their faith. “If need be, a Catholic university must have the courage to speak uncomfortable truths which do not please public opinion, but which are necessary to safeguard the authentic good of society” (Ex corde Ecclesiae, 1990).

In part because of its consistent pro-life witness, the Franciscan University of Steubenville was profiled with 20 other faithfully Catholic colleges in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, published by CNS last November.