Archbishop Burke to Blame, say McCaskill's Aides

Sen. Claire McCaskill, who had been invited to speak at her daughter's Catholic high school commencement, was told last week that she was no longer invited because of church policy rejecting her positions on abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

McCaskill had been chosen to speak at the graduation this month at St. Joseph's Academy in Frontenac.

Sue Brown, a spokeswoman for the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said the education office had recommended to the president of St. Joseph's Academy that McCaskill not be permitted to speak because McCaskill's positions are contradictory to church teaching.

McCaskill's camp, however, puts the blame for the decision on Archbishop Raymond Burke.

It's beyond belief that a Catholic scholl would even consider an anti-life person such as McCaskill in the first place - What are these people smoking? Of course, let's not forget that we're talking about a school run by the Sisters of St Joseph.

McCaskill's spokeswoman, Adrianne Marsh, said that St. Joseph's officials had made the initial invitation after the students had requested the senator. Officials then called McCaskill to say that they were rescinding it. Marsh said McCaskill's people were told Burke made the decision.

McCaskill, a Catholic, said she was disappointed.

Those being educated at a Catholic school, appear to be lacking the some of the fundamental aspects of the faith - why would any Catholic want to invite one to speak whose position is so at odds with Church teaching? What's wrong here...Has the administration failed them?

Brown said Burke had no part in the decision at St. Joseph's other than that all Catholic agencies are under his jurisdiction.

Kudos to Archbishop Burke - it's high time that schools and other Catholic institutions are reminded of the scandal they present by inviting as speakers and honorees those who advocate the murder of the unborn...