An Illinois state legislator says his former Catholic high school invited him to join the school's "Hall of Honor" in recognition of his political career -- then yanked back that invitation after deciding his voting record wasn't in line with the church's positions on abortion.

"The school called me (this week) and informed me ... that they had serious concerns about my voting record," said state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, describing the conversation in which, he said, he was effectively un-inducted from the school's Hall of Honor, shortly after being invited into it.

"I said, 'Why is that?'" Granberg said. "They said they were very concerned I wasn't 'pro-life enough.'"

Dennis Litteken, principal of Mater Dei High School in Breese, IL, said he was the official who talked with Granberg, and he confirmed Granberg won't be in the Hall of Honor.

Litteken called the issue a "misunderstanding" but declined to discuss it further.

Granberg is a 1971 graduate of the high school and has represented the Breese area in the Legislature since 1987. He calls himself pro-life and is generally aligned with anti-abortion forces on legislative issues. However, he has supported stem-cell research, which some consider to be at odds with the anti-abortion movement.

The question of whether the Catholic Church should pressure Catholic politicians on public policy was a major issue in the 1960 campaign of America's first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy and has been an undercurrent in U.S. politics since then.

Last year, Pope Benedict XVI weighed in by stating that Catholic politicians in the U.S. and other countries could face excommunication from the church if they support abortion rights in their official capacities.

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has sent especially strong signals over the years that he believes Catholic politicians and other public figures are obligated to support the church's positions.

In 2004, Burke made waves globally by saying that if then-U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry were to present himself at the Basilica Cathedral, "I would have to admonish him not to present himself for Communion" because of Kerry's support of abortion rights.

That same year, Burke also told St. Louis Catholics they would be committing a mortal sin if they voted for a candidate who supports abortion rights. (He later amended the statement to say the vote would have to be specifically because of the candidate's abortion stance in order for it to be a grave sin.)

And last year, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's invitation to speak at her daughter's graduation from St. Joseph's Academy was rescinded over her support of abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research. The archdiocese later denied that it was responsible for that order, but a McCaskill aide blamed Burke directly.

As for Granberg, he said he isn't angry about Mater Dei's snub but is concerned about the message it sends regarding the separation of church and state.

"I have a great deal of respect for the school and the teachers and the students ... (but) I am concerned that a small vocal minority is making personal judgments ... in terms of morality," said Granberg.

Litteken, the high school principal, said nominations to the Hall of Honor are reviewed by a committee. He declined to name the committee members, but said they include faculty, alumni and citizens.

Mater Dei is part of the Belleville Diocese. A diocese spokesman couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

Granberg has already announced he isn't running for re-election this year. His current term expires in January 2009.

Lawmaker says Catholic school snubbed him
By Kevin McDermott
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU
4/11/2008