Introduction
One of the most powerful institutions in the United States, the Supreme Court is responsible for interpreting the constitution and making decisions that impact the nation as a whole. As such, the religious affiliations of Supreme Court justices has always been a topic of interest to the public.
In this article, we will explore the religious affiliations of current Supreme Court justices, with a focus on those who are Catholic. Additionally, we will examine the impact of Catholicism on major Supreme Court rulings throughout history, as well as the political implications of having Catholic justices in the highest court in the land.
Religious Affiliation of Supreme Court Justices: Who Among Them Are Catholic?
As of September 2021, there are nine Supreme Court justices, with three of them identifying as Catholic. The following is a brief overview of each current Supreme Court Justice:
- John G. Roberts Jr. – nominated by President George W. Bush in 2005, Chief Justice Roberts is a Catholic who attended Catholic schools in Indiana and Maryland.
- Clarence Thomas – nominated by President George H.W. Bush, Justice Thomas is also a Catholic, although he attended a seminary in his youth before becoming a devout Episcopalian.
- Stephen G. Breyer – nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1994, Justice Breyer is Jewish and therefore not Catholic.
- Samuel A. Alito Jr. – nominated by President George W. Bush in 2006, Justice Alito is Catholic and even made headlines when he was caught on camera mouthing the words “not true” during President Obama’s State of the Union address.
- Sonia Sotomayor – nominated by President Barack Obama in 2009, Justice Sotomayor is Catholic and has spoken publicly about how her faith has influenced her in her role as a justice.
- Neil M. Gorsuch – nominated by President Donald Trump in 2017, Justice Gorsuch was raised Catholic but now attends an Episcopal church.
- Brett M. Kavanaugh – nominated by President Donald Trump in 2018, Justice Kavanaugh is Catholic and has been known to attend Mass with his family at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C.
- Elana Kagan – nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010, Justice Kagan is Jewish and therefore not Catholic.
- Amy Coney Barrett – nominated by President Donald Trump in 2020, Justice Barrett is a devout Catholic and even spoke about her faith during her confirmation hearings.
While the Supreme Court has had various Catholic justices throughout its history, the current court has the highest number of Catholics serving at the same time.
A Closer Look: Catholic Supreme Court Justices and Their Impact on Major Rulings
It is important to note that while a justice’s religion may influence their decision-making, it is not the sole factor in their rulings. Nevertheless, the religious beliefs of Catholic Supreme Court justices have played a significant role in major rulings throughout history.
For example, in Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that legalized a woman’s right to an abortion in the United States, the Catholic justices on the Supreme Court at the time were in dissent. Similarly, in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which allowed companies to cite religious objections in order to avoid providing contraception coverage for employees, the Catholic justices were in the majority.
On the other hand, there have been cases where Catholic justices have voted against their religious beliefs in order to uphold the law. For example, in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in the United States, the Catholic justices were in dissent, but Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was also Catholic, voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Catholicism and the U.S. Supreme Court: A Historical Perspective
Throughout history, Catholicism has played a significant role in the United States, with Catholics taking positions of power in various fields, including politics and the law. In fact, the first Catholic justice of the Supreme Court was Roger B. Taney, who served from 1836 to 1864.
Since then, there have been numerous Catholic justices who have left their mark on the Supreme Court. For example, Justice Antonin Scalia, who served from 1986 until his death in 2016, was a devout Catholic who was known for his conservative views. Justice Scalia was a vocal opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage, and his Catholicism undoubtedly influenced his decision-making.
Another notable Catholic justice was William J. Brennan Jr., who served on the court from 1956 to 1990. Justice Brennan was an advocate for civil rights, and his Catholicism influenced his belief that the government had a duty to protect vulnerable and marginalized populations.
The Catholic Factor: Analyzing the Political Implications of Supreme Court Justices’ Religious Affiliations
Given the religious makeup of the United States, it is not surprising that the religious affiliations of Supreme Court justices are closely scrutinized. In particular, the appointment of Catholic justices has been a point of contention, especially among those who view Catholicism as being at odds with certain policy positions.
For example, Catholicism’s stance on abortion and contraception has been a source of controversy, with some arguing that having Catholic justices on the Supreme Court threatens reproductive rights. However, it is worth noting that having a particular religious affiliation does not necessarily mean that a justice will vote in a certain way on a particular issue.
That being said, some have argued that having a Catholic majority on the Supreme Court could impact the court’s decision-making on certain issues. For example, in 2007, Slate writer Dahlia Lithwick wrote an article titled “The Catholic Court: The Justices Who Care About Fetal Life Have Arrived,” in which she argued that the appointment of Justice Samuel Alito had tilted the balance of the court on reproductive rights.
Faith and Justice: The Role of Religion in Supreme Court Confirmations
When it comes to Supreme Court confirmations, religion has become an increasingly important issue in recent years, with nominees facing questions about their faith during their confirmation hearings.
For example, during the confirmation hearings for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, her Catholic faith was the subject of much scrutiny. Some Democrats expressed concerns about how her religious beliefs would impact her decisions, while some Republicans praised her for her conservative views on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
While it remains to be seen how future Supreme Court nominees will be questioned about their religious beliefs, it is clear that religion will continue to be a factor in the confirmation process.
Conclusion
The religious affiliations of Supreme Court justices have always been of interest to the public, with the appointment of Catholic justices in particular being a point of controversy. While a justice’s religion may influence their decision-making, it is not the sole factor in their rulings.
That being said, the religious beliefs of Catholic Supreme Court justices have played a significant role in major rulings throughout history. Additionally, the appointment of Catholic justices has been viewed by some as having political implications.
Overall, the role of religion in the Supreme Court will continue to be a topic of interest and debate for years to come.