SCRANTON — Bishop Joseph Martino of the Scranton diocese called the choice of Casey, D-Pa., to speak at the May 17 commencement at King's College in Wilkes-Barre "an affront to all who value the sanctity of life."

Martino said in a statement Casey's vote to confirm Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services despite her abortion rights stance showed Casey was "a reliable vote for President Barack Obama's aggressive pro-abortion agenda." He said Casey lacked "the moral stature" to address graduates.

Casey opposes abortion and said he favors overturning the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling.