Philadelphia, PA (LifeNews.com) -- Though the University of Notre Dame is coming under intense criticism for its decision to have pro-abortion President Barack Obama give its graduation address, the Catholic Saint Joseph’s University has invited pro-abortion MSNBC political talk show host Chris Matthews to give commencement.

That is despite Matthews long-standing pro-abortion views and his recent comparison of pro-life advocates to terrorists.

Like Notre Dame, Saint Joseph's will also give Matthews an honorary degree at the gradation ceremonies.

Matthews is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross but his own Catholic faith has diverged from the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church.

His political career saw him as a top staffer for pro-abortion former House Speaker Tip O'Neil and he is an unabashed supporter of Obama.

In March, Matthews referred to pro-life advocates who oppose pro-abortion Health Secretary nominee Kathleen Sebelius as terrorists.

During his program "Hardball," Matthews worried that Sebelius would become the target of "the terrorism of the, of the anti-abortion people."
Immediately after making the remark, Matthews appeared to realize his mistake and corrected himself to say, "I mean verbal terrorism."

St. Joseph's is defying the request the nation's Catholics bishops made in a document providing instructions for Catholic colleges and universities.

“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles,” said the bishops said in a 2004 statement. “They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

ACTION: Contact St. Joseph's University with your concerns. Contact St. Joseph's University, Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., Office of the President, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395, email tlannon@sju.edu, or call 610-660-1000

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