SOUTH BEND, Indiana, (Reuters) – President Barack  Obama urged both sides in the abortion debate yesterday to  pursue a “fair-minded” discussion as he sought to quell a  firestorm over his invitation to speak at Notre Dame, a premier  U.S. Catholic university.

Notre Dame’s decision to confer an honorary degree on Obama  and invite him to be the keynote speaker for the commencement  sparked petitions and several days of protests. Some students  vowed to boycott the commencement.

But the speech itself drew mostly cheers, applause and  standing ovations.

Critics who said Obama’s support for abortion rights  violated Catholic Church doctrine had sought to have the  invitation rescinded but the university refused.

Interrupted at times by hecklers, Obama said he recognized  the strong emotions stirred up by the abortion debate but he  urged the two sides to try to find common ground, such as  preventing unintended pregnancies.

“I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can  or should go away,” Obama said. “Each side will continue to  make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But  surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views  to caricature.”

“Let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking  abortions. Let’s reduce unintended pregnancies. Let’s make  adoption more available. Let’s provide care and support for  women who do carry their child to term,” Obama told the crowd  of 12,000 at a huge athletic facility.

His appearance was mostly warmly welcomed by the crowd,  which gave him several standing ovations.

But at a few points during the speech, he was interrupted  by hecklers, including one who shouted, “Abortion is murder.”  That heckler was booed by the audience.

Some graduates displayed a print of a cross symbol and two  baby feet on their caps while others wore caps that said “Viva  Obama.”