USCCB Head Writes President Bush On Supreme Court Vacancy

USCCB.org/communications ^ | 07-06-05 | Most Reverend William S. Skylstad

[Salvation]

USCCB Head Writes President Bush On Supreme Court Vacancy

WASHINGTON (July 6, 2005)—Spokane Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has written to President Bush about “the qualities that I hope you would contemplate” as Mr. Bush considers the appointment of a successor to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who announced her retirement from the Supreme Court on July 1.

In his letter, dated July 1, Bishop Skylstad wrote 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.”

Bishop Skylstad noted that the USCCB does not participate in the confirmation process “by endorsing or opposing specific nominees. Our concern is for principles and policies rather than for personalities.” He said that “we will maintain that position with regard to this Supreme Court appointment and to those that will come in the future.”

However, noting “the Supreme Court’s ability to affect both principles and policies,” Bishop Skylstad asked Mr. Bush to consider “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.”

Bishop Skylstad asked Mr. Bush “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.”

Bishop Skylstad concluded, “Our prayers are with you as you make this decision which is so crucial for our nation.”

The full text of the letter appears below.

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 briefs.

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
President

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[Salvation]

FYI and discussion

[Salvation]

**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'm impressed with this. What do all of you think?

[Salvation]

**and favor restraining and ending the use of the death penalty.**

Guess he had to get his two cents in, huh?

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

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[Salvation]

Additional comments here.

[Smartass]

President Bush should consider a Pro-Life Justice,
That is, opposite of Sandra Day, O'Connor!

[Salvation]

Amen to that!

[Smartass]

Abortion in itself is bad enough. On the other hand, partial birth abortion is an absolutely horrendous procedure. Without doubt, murder! I have always contended, that if all Supreme Courts Justices, would just once, attend a partial birth, that law would overturned ABC...now!

[Texagirl4W]

My dear Salvation, I don't think we have to worry about President Bush on this one. I firmly believe he would rather be impeached for whatever, rather than go against his word regarding being pro life. He displays such strong convictions regarding his beliefs. He is such a strong, powerful man. (md)

[P-Marlowe]

Guess he had to get his two cents in, huh?

I don't want a judge with an agenda. I want judges who will determine the law according to the plain language and meaning of the constitution. I don't want a "pro life" judge or a "pro death penalty" judge. I want a pro constitution judge. A strict constructionist who will set aside his own agenda and rule according to the intent of the founders and those who passed the constitution.

I suspect that any such judge would rule that abortion is not a constitutional right and that the death penalty is not cruel and unusual punishment.

[Salvation]

**I want a pro constitution judge. **

Agree with you all the way.

Protecting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

[Salvation]

Bush is more pro-life than many Catholics. God will bless him accordingly.

[pieces of time]

Exactly: Protecting LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I've never understood the argument from groups like NOW and NARAL that they want the government out of the bedroom, their right to privacy protected. Yet they expect that the government (everybody else) should pay for the results of what they do in the bedroom, which makes the responsibilty very public.

[MJY1288]

I agree with you, Legislation must come from the Congress. If we allow or encourage those who we place on the Supreme Court to legislate from the bench, than we are no different from the people whom we despise for the same thing.

We must insist on Judges who will respect the Constitution as it is written and not how they think it should be interpreted. The recent "Takings" decision is a perfect example of how the Supreme Court has become politicized. To think that the SCOTUS could decide that Private property could be seized under the 5th Amendment and transfered to another private party simply because of the increased Tax Revenue the State would receive is something our Founders would condemn, and most likely call for the Militia's to prepare for war

[Aliska]

What do all of you think?

There go those Catholics meddling in politics again. Just kidding.

'Twould be nice, but I fear it won't come to pass. We can hope.

[Jeff Chandler]

I want judges who will determine the law according to the plain language and meaning of the constitution.

I agree. That is the role of the judiciary. Convincing the legislatures to oppose abortion is ours.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Get ready to saddle up for the long ride on this.

[trisham]

I don't want a judge with an agenda. I want judges who will determine the law according to the plain language and meaning of the constitution. I don't want a "pro life" judge or a "pro death penalty" judge. I want a pro constitution judge. A strict constructionist who will set aside his own agenda and rule according to the intent of the founders and those who passed the constitution.

I suspect that any such judge would rule that abortion is not a constitutional right and that the death penalty is not cruel and unusual punishment.

*************

I couldn't agree more.

[mware]

I think his comments were fair enough. For the most part Catholics are pro-life on both sides of the aisle.

I would rather see someone who has committed a capital crime serve the rest of his life doing hard labor, with no hope for parole.

[Bigg Red]

...death penalty

&&
This really sticks in my craw! I grew up with the Baltimore Catechism, which taught me that the death penalty and warfare are acceptable under certain conditions. I am so sick of the liberals gloming this onto Church statements these days. But I am glad that the bishop addressed abortion.