Notre Dame caves to ill-informed protest, OKs hiding Columbus murals


The artworks, painted in 1882 by Luigi Gregori, celebrate Italian and Irish immigrants and must not be hidden from sight.

The University of Notre Dame’s President, John I. Jenkins, has decided to cover 12 beautiful murals depicting Christopher Columbus’s life. Painted in 1882 by Luigi Gregori, the artworks celebrate the contributions of Italian and Irish immigrants.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRESSING ISSUE FROM THE FOLLOWING LINKS AND STATEMENTS ISSUED BY ITALIAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS, AND SCHOLARS. WE NEED YOUR EMAILS AND LETTERS TO CORRECT THIS TERRIBLE DECISION. SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP BELOW.

Major Italian American organizations, student groups and educators are united in condemning this insult to European Catholics and western history.

SHAME ON NOTRE DAME: SCHOOL OFFICIALS MOVE TO ERASE IMMIGRANT HISTORY

“The original purpose of the murals was to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the school’s immigrant students, largely Italian and Irish, at a time of anti-Catholic bias. Instead of preserving that noble message, Jenkins has chosen to demean himself, and the university, by pandering to the demands of student activists.” -Basil M. Russo, ISDA President

NOTRE DAME STUDENT GROUP CONDEMNS COWARDLY DECISION TO COVER COLUMBUS MURALS

The Columbus Heritage Coalition (CHC), comprised of more than two dozen Italian American organizations, today called on University of Notre Dame president Father John I. Jenkins to reverse his decision to conceal the school’s murals of Christopher Columbus.

 

“Notre Dame’s ill-advised and flawed decision to hide the Columbus murals should be immediately reversed,” said CHC president Angelo Vivolo. “It is an affront to all Americans, most of whom owe their existence in the New World to Columbus.”

DON’T RUSH TO JUDGE COLUMBUS, ANTHROPOLOGIST ENCOURAGES

Mr. Vivolo characterized Notre Dame’s decision as just another assault on the legacy of Columbus, most of which are based on myths and inaccurate information which is devoid of historical context. Said Mr. Vivolo: “It is particularly shameful that a respected institution of higher learning would bow to political pressure rather than teach history. The University has opted—for what reason I don’t know—to hop on the anti-Columbus bandwagon.”

 

CHC battled successfully last year to preserve and protect the iconic Christopher Columbus statue in New York City’s Columbus Circle. In addition, Governor Andrew Cuomo spearheaded the effort to include the monument on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Based in New York City, The Columbus Heritage Coalition is dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the legacy of Christopher Columbus. It supports efforts nationally to keep memorials to Columbus in place and to preserve the celebration of Columbus Day, a federal holiday.

NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION STRONGLY ENCOURAGES NOTRE DAME TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION TO COVER THE MURALS

 

We need Italian Americans, Catholic Americans, All Americans to speak out to correct this shameful injustice. Please send emails to the following persons and media sources demanding this decision be reversed.

 

Join the Shame on Notre Dame initiative, and help the cause:

 

Rev. John I. Jenkins C.S.C.               

Office of the President                            

University of Notre Dame                           

400 Main Bldg                                              

Notre Dame, IN 46556                                    

Email: president@nd.edu

 

John J. Brennan, Chair

Board of Trustees

University of Notre Dame

400 Main Building

Notre Dame, IN 46556

Email: swift.8@nd.edu

 

Congregation of Holy Cross

Email: holycrossgeneralate@gmail.com

 

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To learn more about Columbus’s history, and the explorer’s impact on Italian-American culture and heritage, please read below:

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