St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn., is currently looking for a new commencement speaker after Sen. Robert Casey informed the college that he will not be delivering the commencement speech as scheduled, according to a report in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Casey, a Catholic, was recently publicly reprimanded by Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino for opposing an amendment aimed at reinstating the pro-life Mexico City Policy.

“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 Senator Casey is not available to speak,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society.

St. Vincent College announced in December 2008 that Casey was the slated May 9 commencement speaker for the Catholic institution. According to a college spokesman, Sen. Casey gave no reason to St. Vincent College President H. James Towey for withdrawing from the commencement exercises.

Bishop Martino has been very vocal in recent months holding Casey accountable for his public actions in relation to Catholic beliefs.

After Casey voted against an amendment which would have reinstated the Mexico City Policy—which prohibited using taxpayer dollars to support abortion overseas—Bishop Martino wrote to Casey expressing “deep regret” over his vote. Martino wrote again to Casey reaffirming his previous letter and expressing concern that Casey’s vote was being misrepresented by his staff as a pro-life vote.

The annual controversy over commencement speakers at Catholic colleges and universities has gained national prominence due to Notre Dame University’s decision to honor President Barack Obama at its May commencement despite his notorious anti-life record.

The Cardinal Newman Society sponsored petition on the website NotreDameScandal.com opposing the honor received more than 165,000 signatures in its first 5 days.