Sarah Mitchell
The religious composition of the Supreme Court has been a topic of interest, with a focus on the number of Catholic justices. As of 2021, six of the nine Supreme Court justices are Catholic, with the other three being one Jewish justice, one Protestant justice, and one nondenominational Protestant justice. This marks a shift from the historical dominance of Protestant justices, with 91 out of 114 justices appointed to the court being from various Protestant denominations. The high proportion of Catholic justices has sparked commentary and speculation on the potential implications for judicial decisions and the court's ideological leanings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Supreme Court justices | 9 |
| Number of Catholic justices | 6 |
| Names of Catholic justices | John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett |
| Number of Protestant justices | 2 |
| Names of Protestant justices | Ketanji Brown Jackson, Neil Gorsuch |
| Number of Jewish justices | 1 |
| Names of Jewish justices | Elena Kagan |
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What You'll Learn
The religious composition of the Supreme Court
The current religious makeup of the Supreme Court reflects a growing diversity, with six Catholics, two Protestants, and one Jewish justice. The six Catholic justices are Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Roberts, Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh were nominated by Republican presidents, while Sotomayor was nominated by Democrat Barack Obama. Barrett's nominator, Donald Trump, was a Republican.
While the religious composition of the Supreme Court has evolved over time, it is important to remember that justices are expected to make decisions based on legal principles and precedent rather than religious beliefs. The religious diversity on the court reflects the changing religious landscape of the United States, and it remains to be seen how this diversity will shape the court's future decisions and interpretations of the law.
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The religious makeup of Congress
The 118th Congress also includes 65 members who do not identify as Christian, a small increase from the previous session. This includes members who declined to disclose their religious identity or have unknown affiliations, such as Republican Rep. George Santos of New York, who initially described himself as Jewish during his campaign but later identified as Catholic. The number of Protestants who do not specify a particular denomination has been increasing, with more members identifying as simply "Protestant," "Christian," or "evangelical Protestant."
Looking at specific denominations, the 112th Congress of 2011-2013 had 51 Methodists, 45 Presbyterians, 41 Episcopalians, and 26 Lutherans. The 119th Congress, which began in 2025, saw a marginal decrease in Christians, continuing a gradual 10-year decline. Christians made up 87% of voting members in the Senate and House of Representatives combined.
In contrast to the general population, Congress has a higher proportion of religious individuals. While the share of Christians in the US population has dropped to 63%, Congress has 84% Christians. Additionally, while 28% of Americans are religiously unaffiliated, this group makes up less than 1% of Congress. This disparity may be due to various factors, including the appeal of religious groups to their representatives on moral and religious issues.
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The relationship between Catholicism and Republicanism
As of 2023, six of the nine Supreme Court justices are Roman Catholic: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett. The other three justices are Protestant, with no Jewish or non-Christian justices currently serving. This religious makeup of the Court is quite unique in the history of the United States, and it raises interesting questions about the relationship between Catholicism and the Republican Party, as well as the Court's interpretation of church-state relations.
Historically, Catholicism in the United States has been associated with the Democratic Party. This is partly due to the large number of Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Southern Europe, who tended to settle in urban, industrial areas and identify with the working class. These communities often supported Democratic policies that promoted social welfare and labour rights. However, in more recent decades, there has been a significant shift, with many Catholics, particularly those who are more religiously conservative, moving towards the Republican Party.
This shift can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Republican Party's stance on social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, often aligns more closely with traditional Catholic teachings. The Party's emphasis on religious freedom and opposition to what they see as government intrusion into matters of faith, has also resonated with many Catholics. Additionally, the Democratic Party's support for policies like government-funded contraception and abortion services has driven a wedge between them and socially conservative Catholics.
The result is that Catholicism, or at least a particular strain of conservative Catholicism, has become closely linked with Republicanism in the United States. This is reflected in the makeup of the Supreme Court, where a majority of Catholic justices have been appointed by Republican presidents. These justices may bring a unique perspective to the Court, informed by their religious background, which could influence their interpretation of the Constitution and shape the direction of American law and politics for years to come.
It is important to note that not all Catholics fit neatly into this Republican mould. Catholicism is a diverse religion with a wide range of theological and political beliefs. Many Catholics remain loyal to the Democratic Party, particularly those who prioritize social justice issues like economic inequality and immigration reform. Additionally, there are progressive Catholic voices who challenge traditional teachings on gender and sexual morality.
In conclusion, while there is a significant relationship between Catholicism and Republicanism in the United States, particularly within the Supreme Court, this relationship is complex and multifaceted. It is shaped by historical, social, and political factors, and it continues to evolve as Catholicism itself becomes more diverse and nuanced in the modern era.
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The religiosity of Justice Jackson
The current Supreme Court of the United States comprises six Catholics, one Protestant, and one Jewish justice. The six Catholics are Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, is Protestant.
Jackson has stressed the importance of religious faith in her life and career, invoking her Christian faith, but has stayed mum on specifics. She has refused to lay out a philosophy addressing church-state law. She has, however, described herself as a "strong person of faith." During her confirmation hearings, Senator Graham asked Jackson how religious she was, to which she replied, "I am reluctant to talk about my faith in this way just because I want to be mindful of the need for the public to have confidence in my ability to separate out my personal views." She further added that her faith is important, but noted that the Constitution prohibits any religious test for public office.
Jackson's self-identification as a "nondenominational" Protestant reflects an increasingly prevalent trend within the Protestant segment. Non-Catholic Christians are less likely to identify with established Protestant denominations, and more likely to simply say they are Christian or nondenominational. This is particularly true for younger Americans, especially racial minorities.
Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court by President Joe Biden in 2022 fits the national data. Black Americans are majority Protestant in their religious identity and strongly lean Democratic.
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The Catholic faith of Justice Barrett
The United States Supreme Court has been criticised for being disproportionately Catholic, with six out of nine justices identifying as Catholic. One of these six is Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose Catholic faith has been a matter of controversy and speculation.
Barrett was born in New Orleans to a devout Catholic family and attended St. Mary's Dominican High School, an all-girls Catholic school. She has described herself as a \"faithful Catholic\" and is a member of the Catholic apostolate group, People of Praise. During her confirmation hearings, she referenced her faith, thanking those who had been praying for her and stating her belief in the power of prayer. She and her husband have seven children, two of whom were adopted from Haiti.
Barrett's Catholic faith has been a subject of interest due to its potential influence on her judicial decisions. Some commentators have expressed concern that her religious beliefs could shape her rulings on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and LGBT rights. In response to these concerns, Barrett has asserted that it is never appropriate for a judge to impose their personal convictions, including those derived from faith, on the law. She has stated that she intends to faithfully follow binding precedents and that her religious beliefs would not impact the discharge of her duties as a judge.
Despite these assurances, Barrett's nomination was controversial among Democrats, who objected to her conservative legal views. Her nomination by President Donald Trump drew attention to her membership in the secretive Catholic group, People of Praise, which has been described as highly authoritarian and falling outside mainstream Catholicism. There were concerns about potential conflicts between her role as a Supreme Court justice and her allegiance to this organisation. However, other commentators defended Barrett, arguing that discussions of her faith were inappropriate and potentially reflected anti-Catholic bigotry.
In conclusion, Justice Barrett's Catholic faith has been a notable aspect of her appointment to the Supreme Court, sparking debates about the separation of religion and state in judicial decision-making. While she has emphasised the importance of following legal precedents and the law, her conservative legal views and affiliation with a conservative Catholic group have continued to fuel speculation about the influence of her religious beliefs on her judicial rulings.
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Frequently asked questions
Six of the nine Supreme Court justices are Catholic.
The six justices who are Catholic are: John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
The three non-Catholic justices are: Ketanji Brown Jackson (Protestant), and two Jewish justices, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer.
The Red Mass is a ceremony that marks the opening of the Supreme Court term. It is held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. The aim is to "invoke God's blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials."
