Letter: Congressman Henry Hyde to Senator Richard Durbin Regarding A Religious Litmus Test

All I have to say here is BRAVO Congressman Henry Hyde!

The following is a letter Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL) sent to Richard Durbin (D-IL), his home state Senator and fellow Catholic:


The Honorable Richard Durbin
United States Senate
Room 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Durbin:

I read with some interest comments attributed to you in news reports detailing your Monday meeting with the President's Supreme Court nominee, Judge John G. Roberts, Jr.

While we may disagree on various domestic and international issues, we have also found common ground over the years on numerous matters of importance to all Americans. As Catholics, we certainly share a common experience, including the awful legacy of anti-Catholic bigotry that permeated American politics well into the 20th Century.

"Irish Need Not Apply" signs were common in the storefront windows of Chicago's neighborhood until a few years ago, a bias driven largely by the Catholic faith shared by most Irish-Americans. I want to believe that you do not wish to turn back the clock to that ugly period of our history, and that's why these comments attributed to you concern me.

No one of our faith - or that of any other denomination or religion - should be excluded from public office for his or her religious values. Article VI of the U.S. Constitution unequivocally prohibits such a litmus test: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."

"Practicing Catholics need not apply" cannot become a rallying cry of modern day religious bigots who would seek to drive from the public square all federal office candidates of faith. I hope that your question to Judge Robers, if accurately reported, does not constitute an opening salvo in a process in which the candidate's faith will constitute sufficient justification for denying him a speedy confirmation.

Very truly yours,
HENRY J. HYDE
Chairman

Christian adoption agency will allow Catholics

Okay, it’s time for a little Christian charity, not the monetary kind but rather charity in kindness. When a wrong is righted one must acknowledge the correction in kindness and respect.

I’m happy to say that the Bethany Christian Service’s board voted unanimously to reverse the rejection of Robert and Sandy Steadman’s application to adopt a baby, simply because of their Catholic Faith.

I must admit I was taken back at first when I learned of this discrimination, outraged would be a more precise description, however I am equally pleased with their recent reversal of policy. It has restored my hope for all Christians to work together in ecumenical harmony as the body of Christ, to promote and foster the culture of life.

I cannot stress how important it is for all Christians, both Protestant and Catholics alike, to work together in this culture war. If the devil is successful in dividing Christians (as is his plan) then the fight to reverse Roe vs. Wade will be even harder. I believe that there will come a day when this erroneous Supreme Court decision (in my opinion) will be reversed and then it will be up to the individual states to decide the constitutionality of legal abortion on demand.

One step at a time, for now we must band together as Christians, not only for the sake of the culture war, but for the sake of acting as the true body of Christ. Are we not identified as Christians by our love? Thank you Bethany Services for showing us all love, big move and I applaud you!

WorldNetDaily: Christian adoption agency will allow Catholics

Pro-life donors should choose where funds go, says Catholic League

I'm proud to say I was one of the 40 that alerted the Catholic League of this discrimination by Bethany Services. While I'm pleased to see the Catholic League take action, I'm disapointed that a) only 40 of us complained and b) other agencies have yet to speak up or even report the story.

The Story

Adoption agency rejects Catholic parents

Some people refuse to acknowledge the anti-Catholicism in this country or at best down play it to a few behind the scenes and out of the mainstream. You would have to be blind and deaf to not acknowledge the blatant anti-Catholicism coming from a nationally known Christian adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services.

As a pro-life conservative Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus who supports the Choose Life License plate program, I hope the Choose Life License program organizers examine the discrimination Bethany committed here and consider reducing their level of support for this agency until they can start acting like Christians and welcome all with love.
Adoption agency rejects Catholic parents

Catholic right gears up for Supreme Court fight

"Front and center for the Catholic right in the fight to replace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O?Connor with a ?strict constructionist? are two veterans of the recent judicial appointment wars, each with impeccable credentials as conservative activists in both the Catholic and political worlds."

Nation -- Analysis: Catholic right gears up for Supreme Court fight

Voice of the Faithful drafts demands on Catholic leaders; experts skeptical about loyalty to the Church

Indianapolis, Jul. 11, 2005 (CNA) - Voice of the Faithful, a group synonymous for many with anger and dissent, held their first meeting in three years this weekend in Indianapolis where they discussed ways to reform the Catholic Church following the priestly sexual abuse scandal. More

Ave Maria University establishes Terri Schiavo Scholarship

Naples, Jul. 11, 2005 (CNA) - In an attempt to weaken what John Paul II coined as the “Culture of Death”, Florida’s Ave Maria University has announced the establishment of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Scholarship fund for aspiring priests and seminarians. More

USCCB President expresses “support and concern” over London bombings

Bishop Skylstad recalled with great appreciation the "tremendous expression of support and concern received from the Church in England and Wales and from many other hierarchies at the time of the devastating terrorist attacks upon our nation on September 11, 2001.

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Bishops on Supreme Court vacancy

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has written to the White House regarding the vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Following is the full text of Bishop Skylstad's letter to the President:

Dear Mr. President,

As the nation ponders the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the occasion of her retirement from the bench, we are reminded that the legacy of a Supreme Court Justice is long and the influence of the Court on the life of the country and the development of the Law is considerable. At this time, I want to take the opportunity to draw to your attention the qualities that I hope you would contemplate as you decide on the appointment of her successor.

When a nomination is made, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops does not participate by endorsing or opposing specific nominees. Our concern is for principles and policies rather than for personalities. We will maintain that position with regard to this Supreme Court appointment and to those that will come in the future.

However, because of the Supreme Court's ability to affect both principles and policies, I urge you to consider for the Court qualified jurists who, pre-eminently, support the protection of human life from conception to natural death, especially of those who are unborn, disabled, or terminally ill. I would ask you to consider jurists who are also cognizant of the rights of minorities, immigrants, and those in need; respect the role of religion and of religious institutions in our society and the protections afforded them by the First Amendment; recognize the value of parental choice in education; and favor restraining and ending the use of the death penalty. There are many specific applications of these and other fundamental matters which the USCCB has addressed or will address in the future through amicus b riefs.

Our prayers are with you as you make this decision which is so crucial for our nation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane

Pope calls on G8 leaders to ‘eradicate poverty, promote authentic development’ in Africa

As a conservative I never prefer a hand out to a solution. However as a Catholic conservative I see the call to G8 leaders to eradicate poverty in Africa as something other than a hand out, but rather the right thing to do as brothers and sisters of good will. We are our brother's keeper and my compassion as a Christian says, "help!" But helping monetarily, or forgiving debt should not be the end of it. We must help these countries be self-efficient so we don't end up doing the same thing some years from now. In addition to forgiving debt, we must put in place economic development strategies and educational opportunities designed to elevate their standard of living and economic standards as a nation. Read >Catholic News Agency

Catholics on the Short List

The following Catholics are on President Bush's short list to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor:

(NOTE: I am in no way suggesting these men should be nominated by the president because they are Catholic. I am merely pointing out that each of them is Catholic.)

Samuel Alito Jr
Age: 55
Education:
Princeton University, B.A, 1972
Yale Law School, J.D., 1975
Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on February 20, 1990. Confirmed by the Senate on April 27, 1990, and received commission on April 30, 1990.
Professional Career:
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, 1987-1990
Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1985-1987
Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1981-1985
Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey, 1977-1981
Law Clerk, Hon. Leonard I. Garth, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1976-1977
---
Miguel Estrada
Age: 44
Education:
Columbia College, B.A, 1983
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1986
Federal Judicial Service:
None
**Nominated in 2000 by President George W. Bush to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. Estrada
withdrew his nomination on September 4, 2003 after seven failed cloture votes.
Professional Career:
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2000-present
Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1992-1997
Associate, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Sthrn District of New York, 1990-1992
Clerk, Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court, 1988-1989
Clerk, Honorable Amalya L. Kearse, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1986-1987
---
Emilio Garza
Age: 58
Education:
University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1969
University of Notre Dame, M.A., 1970
University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1976
Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 11, 1991. Confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 1991, and received commission on May 30, 1991.
U. S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1988. Confirmed by the Senate on April 19, 1988, and received commission on April 20, 1988.
Professional Career:
Judge, 225th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, 1987-1988
Private practice, San Antonio, Texas, 1976-1987
U.S. Marine Corps Captain, 1970-1973
---
Alberto Gonzales
Age: 49
Education:
United States Air Force Academy, 1975-1977
Rice University, B.A., 1979
Harvard Law School, 1982
Federal Judicial Service:
None.
Professional Career:
Attorney General of the United States, 2005 - present
White House Counsel to President George W. Bush, 2001-2005
Associate Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1999-2001
Texas Secretary of State, 1997-1999
General Counsel to Governor George W. Bush, 1995-1996
Partner, Vincent & Elkins, Houston, TX 1982-1994
United States Air Force, 1973-1975
---
I also believe Judge Hinojosa is Catholic.
Ricardo H. Hinojosa
Age:55
Education:
University of Texas, Austin, B.A., 1972
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1975
Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on April 12, 1983, to a seat vacated by Woodrow B. Seals; Confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 1983, and received commission on May 5, 1983.
Professional Career:
Law clerk, Texas Supreme Court, 1975-1976
Private practice, McAllen, Texas, 1976-1983
Commissioner, U.S. Sentencing Commission, 2003-present



Originally posted by David Schrader of Catholics for Bush

Catholic Leader Prays for O'Connor, Eyes on Replacement

U.S. Newswire : Releases : "Catholic Leader Prays for O'Connor, Eyes on Replacement":

"This President has shown time and time again a willingness to nominate judges who know the difference between applying and rewriting the law, the difference between the legislature and the judiciary. I am confident that the President will do as he promised and nominate a replacement in the style of Justices Scalia and Thomas."