Obama’s Catholic National Advisory Committee included nine professors at Catholic colleges:

• Nicholas Cafardi, law professor and former law dean, Duquesne University (PA)
• Lisa Sowle Cahill, theology professor, Boston College (MA)
• M. Shawn Copeland, theology professor, Boston College (MA)
• Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM, professor, Marywood University (PA)
• Cathleen Kaveny, law and theology professor, University of Notre Dame (IN)
• Vincent Miller, theology professor, Georgetown University (DC)
• David O’Brien, Catholic studies professor, College of the Holy Cross (MA)
• Sr. Jamie Phelps, O.P., thelogy professor and director of Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University
• Vincent Rougeau, law professor, University of Notre Dame (IN)

Georgetown University (DC) was among top 25 employers in employee donations to the Obama campaign (Center for Responsive Politics, 8/26/08), and seventh among all U.S. colleges in employee donations to the Obama campaign, totaling $179,000 (Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/24/08).

Nicholas Cafardi, law professor and former law dean, Duquesne University (PA)
In Religion News Service (9/30/08), argued pro-lifers can vote for Obama; “we have lost the abortion battle—permanently”. Joined Kaveny and Kmiec in Newsweek (10/17/08), “A Catholic Brief for Obama.”

Lisa Sowle Cahill, theology professor, Boston College (MA)
In National Catholic Reporter (10/16/08), said Catholics can vote for Obama, accused outspoken bishops of “damaging [the] rich Catholic faith tradition.”

Judy Feder, public policy professor and former public policy dean, Georgetown University (DC)
Congressional candidate in Virginia’s 10^th District on pro-abortion platform in 2008 and 2006.

Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM, professor, Marywood University (PA)
Published open statement reminding Catholics about evils of racism, with signatures of Marywood professors and nuns, in Scranton Times Tribune (10/19/08). The New York Times (10/20/08) reported that the ad was part of a pro-Obama campaign. Member of pro-Obama panel discussion at parish church in Scranton diocese (opposed by Bishop Joseph Martino).

Cathleen Kaveny, law and theology professor, University of Notre Dame (IN)
In America (10/27/08), argued that the Church’s language of “intrinsic evil” does not impede Catholics from voting for pro-abortion candidates. She joined Cafardi and Kmiec in Newsweek (10/17/08), “A Catholic Brief for Obama.”

Rick Majerus, basketball coach, St. Louis University (MO)
At rally in St. Louis (1/22/08), addressed Hillary Clinton supporters and endorsed abortion rights (opposed by Archbishop Raymond Burke).

Rev. Richard McBrien, theology professor, University of Notre Dame (IN)
At Unitarian Church in Kansas City (10/7/08), criticized bishops on Catholic voting responsibilities and said Pope John Paul II’s greatest failing was the bishops he named. Lamented a “dearth of pastoral leadership” among bishops appointed by Pope John Paul II (National Catholic Reporter, 10/7/08).

Pamela Trotman Reid, President, St. Joseph College (CT)
In Hartford Courant (10/9/08), said she was excited by Obama candidacy and concerned about future Supreme Court decisions affecting “the right of women to make choices about their own health.”

Rev. Ray Schroth, S.J. humanities professor, St. Peter’s College (NJ)
On NJ.com blog (9/27/08), endorsed Obama despite acknowledging abortion position.

John Settich, political science professor, Benedictine College (KS)
On TownHall.com (8/26/08), explained support for Obama; was delegate at Democratic convention.