Fr. Terrence Henry, TOR, president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, just told me that he received a letter of resignation yesterday from Dr. Nicholas P. Cafardi, former dean of the Duquesne University Law School.

Fr. Henry stressed that Dr. Cafardi's resignation from the board of Franciscan University was voluntary and had in no way been requested by the University. 

Fr. Henry added that he was "grateful" for Cafardi's letter.

Dr. Cafardi's continued presence on the Franciscan University board became an issue several weeks ago when he publicly endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president. In doing so, he became the second prominent Catholic jurist to support Obama.  Prof. Doug Kmiec of Pepperdine University had endorsed Obama some months ago.

Franciscan University issued a statement distancing itself from Cafardi's endorsement. This statement came a few days after a group of Franciscan University students protested a scheduled lecture by Cafardi on Obama at Carlow College in Pittsburg. 

Dr. Cafardi cancelled his appearance at the event, but a sister from Carlow College read what was represented as Cafardi's paper for him.