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Traditionally, Catholic voters have voted more democratic, opting for civil rights and social security. However, in recent decades, the Catholic vote is less uniform, and many voters are influenced through issues of abortion and gay marriage. Once many affluent Catholics emerged from poverty, they tended to vote less on religious issues and more on financial issues, leaning towards the Republican party. This is coupled by the drifting apart of some Catholics from the church through questions of birth control usage and feminist issues. When it comes to personal issues such as marriage and the family Catholics are usually conservative, but social issues concerning social justice they are typically liberal. This has created a divergence in the Catholic vote, thus making it a good demographic target around election time. Most recently, and Samuel Alito . HISTORY Catholics were somewhat late-comers in American History. There were small populations that existed, but for the most part Catholics suffered much formed in the late 19th century and were even associated with the Republican Party against the Irish Catholics. But by the end of the 19th century, Catholics represented 14 percent of the total U.S. population, and by the early 1900’s, Catholicism was the single largest religious denomination in the country {Link without Title} . Still, Catholics did not hold many high offices in politics. Of the first 54 judges, only one was Catholic. It wasn’t until the 1890’s that more were elected. In October 1960, John F. Kennedy , the Catholic candidate for president, drew the line as to how he would deal with his religion as president.
RECENT POLITICS 1965-PRESENT DAY Catholics have been in congress since the early 17th century, and today represent 28.8% of Congress {Link without Title} . The first Roman Catholic Supreme Court Justice was Roger B. Taney, appointed in 1836.
This discrepancy between the percentage of Catholic Supreme Court Justices and the percentage of Catholics in America is testament of the upward movement of Catholics. While there are more Protestants in the Nation, they are less unified and scattered into different sects {Link without Title} . Religion plays an important part in American politics, and it will continue to shape policies in the future. Specifically, the emergences of gay rights, abortion rights, and current immigration issues have a huge impact on voting patterns. Both gay rights, abortion rights, and even Terry Schievo’s “right to die” case have not only tested the values of the Catholic Church, but united the Evangelicals and Catholics. This is remarkable considering that National Association of Evangelicals formed in the 1940’s was anti-Catholic. At the same time, many Catholics have separated from the Church in lieu of their stance on birth control and the role of women in the church. According to Dr. John Green of University of Akron,
Twenty years ago, there was only one Catholic judge, but this all started to change during the 1980’s. President and Stephen Breyer . The second President Bush appointed John Roberts and nominated Alito, both Catholics. The four presidents nominated in the last decade have become reliable votes for abortion restriction. In Webster V. Reproductive Health Services (1989), Ohio V. Akron Center For Reproductive Health (1990), Hodgson V. Minnesota (1990), and Rust V. Sullivan (1991), Scalia and Kennedy upheld the restrictions in question . This is not to say that all Catholics vote a certain way, the majority of Catholic judges have been appointed by republicans, while protestant and Jewish judges by democrats, but there is still a great difference between Catholic judges and protestant judges. While many protestant judges were pro-choice, only one Catholic judge has ever ruled against abortion restrictions, and that was in one of six cases. This makes for very reliable voting patterns in the Supreme Court, when it comes to abortion issues at least {Link without Title} . Gay Rights The traditional view of family is what most Catholics defend today: The father, mother, and subordinate children. Religious movements such as Moral Majority , Traditional Values Coalition , Family Research Council , and Focus On The Family , have shaped the Religious Right and continue to fight against the rights of Homosexuals . Abortion Rights The of St. Louis said he would deny senator John Kerry communion because of his stance on abortion rights. However, very few priests are actually announcing that they will deny Communion due to opinion on abortion. The Pope having given communion to Francisco Rutelli, a strong supporter of abortion in Italy, is an example many follow. Most recently, with the nomination of Alito, a catholic-based political advocacy group warned liberals that, "Given the likelihood of a vigorous debate, we remain steadfast in our insistence upon a fair and dignified process free of any attack on Judge Alito's Catholic faith and personal beliefs, early attacks by left wing interest groups are particularly worrisome." There is no evidence of any attack on Alito's catholicism, only on his very known anti-abortion sentiments. Immigration The Immigration debate has also changed relations between Republicans and Roman Catholic voters. Archbishop Raymond Burke has been involved in rallies to allow undocumented workers a chance at citizenship. By welcoming migrant workers, many who are Catholic, Burke says, "we obey the command of Our Lord, who tells us that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome Christ Himself." Roughly 30% of the Roman Catholic population is Hispanic , and many popes, including Pope John Paul II have advocated that countries that should accommodate people fleeing from economic hardship if they are able. See Also:http://www.usccb.org/mrs/ |
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