A St. Francis Medal for ... Rick Santorum?

Alumni get all kinds of amusing emails from the alma mater, but when my beloved Franciscan University of Steubenville first sent me this one, I seriously thought it was a joke:

You are cordially invited to attend
a formal reception in honor of
The Honorable Rick Santorum
& Mrs. Karen Santorum
Recipients of the 2010 Franciscan University Poverello Medal

[snip]

The Poverello Medal

Named after St. Francis of Assisi, who was called Il Poverello ("the little poor man"), the Poverello Medal is the highest non-academic honor awarded by Franciscan University of Steubenville. Cast of steel to signify the ideals of Franciscan simplicity and poverty, the medal is three inches in diameter.

Etched on the front is an image of St. Francis giving money to the poor. On the opposite side are the words, "In recognition of great benefactions to humanity, exemplifying in our age the Christ-like spirit of charity which filled the life of St. Francis of Assisi."

The award commemorates organizations and individuals, who through great strength of character and the practice of Christian charity, have imitated the little man from Assisi in their love for and service to the poor. Past recipients include Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, and Charles W. and Patricia Colson.

Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, and now ...

Well, I was going to let it go, but when they sent me a reminder, here was my response.

Hi,

If I'm not mistaken, Rick Santorum has been a consistent and outspoken supporter of the American war in Iraq, a war which was explicitly condemned as unjust by both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

With all the other Catholics to choose from on this planet, and previous recipients such as Dorothy Day and Teresa of Calcutta, I do not think that awarding this behavior with a medal named after St. Francis, of all saints, is appropriate.

I'm aware of and grateful for Santorum's work for the unborn, but St. Francis medals should go to people who are less selective in their defense of the Culture of Life. As an alumnus, I'd like to know: What are the criteria used for this decision? Who is responsible for making this decision?

Thanks,

Bill Powell

I'll let you know if I hear anything.