A national religious group called on the Roman Catholic bishop of Worcester Wednesday to reverse course and allow Victoria Reggie Kennedy to deliver the commencement address at Anna Maria College, saying that Catholic schools should not be “a battleground for partisan witch hunts and censorship.’’
Last month, the small, Catholic college in Paxton withdrew its invitation to Kennedy, the widow of US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, under pressure from Bishop Robert J. McManus, who said her views ran contrary to the church’s teachings.
Officials at the school, which has close ties with the Diocese of Worcester, stood by the choice of Kennedy but decided “with deep regret’’ to withdraw the invitation.
On Wednesday, members of Faithful America presented a petition with more than 20,000 signatures to the Worcester diocese, urging McManus to drop his opposition. They were joined by members of Catholic Democrats, a group for which Kennedy is a board member.
“It’s really inappropriate for Catholic universities to become a staging ground for McCarthyist witchhunts,’’ said Michael Sherrard, director of Faithful America, an online community of 140,000 people.
Sherrard said McManus’s stance was particularly regrettable because Kennedy has not taken public stances on political issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
“She hasn’t served in public office,’’ he noted. “She hasn’t cast votes on these issues.’’
A diocesan spokesman said previously that the bishop’s actions were consistent with guidelines from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops that say that Catholic institutions should not honor Catholics who take positions “contrary to the Catholic faith’s most fundamental principles.’’
But petitioners argued that bishops apply this standard selectively.
“There is not a consistent standard that is being applied here,’’ said Steve Krueger, national director for Catholic Democrats. “It’s pastoral partisanship, and it’s politicizing our faith.’’
The bishop’s office declined to comment on the petition.
In an article in the Catholic Free Press, the official newspaper of the Worcester Diocese, published earlier this month, McManus said that Kennedy had “publicly associated with political and social organizations that promote activities and points of view that are contrary to fundamental church teachings.’’
Sherrard said the online petition drew a strong response, particularly from Massachusetts residents.
Noting that Kennedy had received honorary degrees from two Catholic colleges, the petition described Kennedy as a “faithful Catholic and an important public voice’’ who deserved the opportunity to speak.
In a statement, the college said it continues to believe “in the appropriateness of recognizing Mrs. Kennedy’s many contributions’’ and thanked Kennedy for her “graciousness during this entire process.’’
“The college will continue to hold true to its Catholic values of hospitality, compassion, reconciliation, respect for all people, and understanding,’’ the statement said.
The college has not chosen another speaker. Graduation is May 19.
Kennedy, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment. Her spokesman said she had not heard from McManus.
Kennedy is giving the commencement address at Boston College Law School May 25.
Peter Schworm can be reached at schworm@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globepete.