SOUTH BEND – Hundreds of anti-abortion activists protested Sunday on the University of Notre Dame campus against the school’s decision to award an honorary degree to President Obama.

Speakers at the rally outside the school’s Main Building called for the honorary degree to be withdrawn because Obama’s actions on abortion regulations and stem-cell research do not conform to Roman Catholic teachings.

Following the stance of some Catholic bishops, student organizers said they were no longer calling for university President the Rev. John Jenkins to withdraw the invitation for Obama to speak at the May 17 graduation ceremony.

“Our big goal is to bring awareness that we are not OK with this,” said Emily Toates, a senior who is vice president of Notre Dame Right to Life. “Our big goal is for Father Jenkins to rescind the honorary doctorate of laws degree because (Obama) goes so counter to the principles of the Catholic church.”

Jenkins has said the university does not condone all of Obama’s policies but that it’s important to engage in conversation. University officials have said the school does not plan to rescind the invitation to Obama.