Notre Dame Scandal Claims First Victim

It looks as though the controversy over honoring President Obama at Notre Dame has claimed its first victim in the person of Senator Robert Casey Jr., D-PA. The Senator was scheduled to be the commencement speaker at St. Vincent College, a Catholic college in Latrobe, PA. Sen. Casey has since quietly canceled his engagement.

Neither Casey's office, nor the president of the college, H. James Towey, are providing any public reason for the cancellation. The college president is cited "as having “no reason” that Sen. Casey is unable to give the address" and that the "college has “no comment” on the situation". Senator Casey's office did not return calls for comment from Philadelphia based newspaper, The Bulletin.

“Given the strong comments from Bishop Martino and the high profile controversy over Notre Dame’s decision to honor President Obama, it is probably a blessing to St. Vincent College that Sen. Casey is not available to speak,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society."

Casey, Jr. has been under intense scrutiny from Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA who published a letter formally warning Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that his vote against the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy (prohibiting use of U.S. aid dollars to fund abortions abroad) and support for "family planning", i.e., artificial contraception, has placed him in danger of "persist[ing] formally in cooperating with evil [abortion]".

Bob Casey's father, former Senator Bob Casey, Sr. (D-PA) was a liberal Democrat on most issues except for abortion which he opposed. As a result of his vocal criticism of his own party on the issue Casey, Sr. was ostracized by his party during the presidential election of Bill Clinton. A few years later, Bob Casey, Sr. fell ill and died. His son, Bob Casey, Jr., later defeated incumbent pro-life Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) to assume his father's seat on a supposedly pro-life platform. To date, Casey, Jr.'s record on abortion has been mixed, prompting some to claim that his pro-life credentials consisted largely of his father's reputation.

This is one of those "open secrets" in the political life of Bob Casey, Jr. He appears to be too afraid of a public blood-letting to show his face at a Catholic college now that the Notre Dame controversy is in full swing. This probably saves the reputation of St. Vincent College as well, not having to undergo censure for the same public mistakes as the Fighting Irish.

The Case of Mr. Casey

Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA has published a letter formally warning Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that his vote against the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy (prohibiting use of U.S. aid dollars to fund abortions abroad) and support for "family planning", i.e., artificial contraception, has placed him in danger of "persist[ing] formally in cooperating with evil [abortion]".

I recognize and respect the burdens that you bear as a United States Senator; however, I remind you that your responsibilities as a Catholic bound by the faith of the Church exceed even those of your office. Your failure to reverse this vote will regrettably mean that you persist formally in cooperating with the evil brought about by this hideous and unnecessary policy.

As I have done several times before, I offer to make myself available to you to discuss the grave concerns that I raise here.

The language is serious here as it is almost a direct quote of CCC 2272 and the resulting penalty of latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication (CIC 1398).

Now, I don't rejoice at the public chastisement of a public official by his Bishop, although that is the Bishop's right and duty. The language of the letter implies that there have been multiple private overtures aimed at correction that have gone unheeded.

This letter then serves two purposes: i) to make a public and formal notification of persistent grave sin, and ii) to limit the effects of scandal on the rest of the faithful. I think the emphasis here is on the latter, given the public nature of the correction.

In keeping with the obligations of my episcopal office, I called upon my brothers and sisters in faith to be vigilant against the objections to the Church’s teaching on life so prevalent in current political discourse. I vowed to be vigilant in correcting Catholics who are in error with regard to the sanctity of life.

The Bishop is serious. The question is: is Mr. Casey? For his sake, I truly hope so.