Although Durbin's denying it now, the senator told columnist Jonathan Turley that he asked Supreme Court Justice Roberts nominee John Roberts what he would do if the court required a ruling that the Catholic Church considers immoral. Jonathan Turley stands by his story.
Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois send Durbin a letter denouncing Durbin's lack of tact.
An excerpt:
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 Roberts, 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.
Hat tip Obiter Dictum.
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