Joshua Bennett
Mazie Hirono is a Democratic U.S. Senator from Hawaii who has been accused of making anti-Catholic comments. During the judicial nomination hearing of Brian Buescher, a nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, Hirono and other senators insinuated that Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic service organization, impeded his ability to rule impartially. This led to accusations of religious intolerance and bigotry, with critics calling for condemnation and highlighting the significant Catholic population in the U.S. Senator Hirono's comments sparked debates about the acceptance of anti-Catholic sentiments in progressive Democrat thought and the impact of religious beliefs on judicial nominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-Catholic | Accusations by New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio and others |
| Reason for accusation | Insinuated that nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, Brian Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus would impede his ability to rule impartially |
| Response | None reported |
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What You'll Learn
Senator Mazie Hirono's comments on Brian Buescher's nomination
Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, faced criticism for her comments during the judicial nomination hearing of Brian Buescher, who was nominated for a judgeship at the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. Buescher, a member of the fraternal Catholic charitable organization, the Knights of Columbus, was questioned by Hirono and Senator Kamala Harris about his membership in the organization, which they alleged has "taken a number of extreme positions."
Hirono and Harris' line of questioning implied that Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus could impede his ability to rule impartially. This led to criticism from some, including Senator Orrin Hatch, who accused the senators of "imposing religious tests on Federal judicial nominees," potentially violating Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic charitable organization that has been characterized as holding conservative views on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
In response to the senators' questioning, Buescher stated that he would set aside his personal beliefs and follow the law when interpreting it. He assured the committee that he would rule impartially and fairly. Despite the controversy surrounding Hirono and Harris' line of questioning, Buescher's nomination was ultimately confirmed by a 51-40 vote on July 24, 2019.
The incident sparked a broader debate about religious tolerance and the role of faith in judicial nominations. Critics, including New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, accused Hirono and Harris of anti-Catholic bigotry, arguing that their comments excluded individuals from serving in the judiciary based on their faith. They called for the U.S. Senate to condemn the senators' remarks. Supporters of Hirono and Harris, however, may argue that the senators were performing their due diligence in vetting a nominee for a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary.
While Senator Mazie Hirono's comments during Brian Buescher's nomination hearing sparked accusations of anti-Catholic bias, the broader context of the hearing and the subsequent confirmation of Buescher's nomination add nuance to the discussion. The incident highlights the delicate balance between scrutinizing a nominee's qualifications and potential biases while also respecting their religious freedom and ensuring a diverse judiciary.
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Hirono's view of the Knights of Columbus
During the judicial nomination hearing for Brian Buescher, a nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, Senator Mazie Hirono implied that Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic group, was at odds with being a federal judge. Hirono's line of questioning suggested that Buescher's membership in the Knights of Columbus would impede his ability to rule impartially. She asked if he would recuse himself from cases in which the Knights of Columbus had taken a position and if he intended to end his membership to avoid any appearance of bias. Hirono cited the group's support for Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage, as evidence of its ""extreme positions".
Hirono's comments were criticised by some, including New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, who called for her to be condemned for her "anti-Catholic" remarks. The Knights of Columbus organisation also responded, citing a history of anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States and expressing disappointment that commitment to Catholic principles through membership in their group would be viewed as a disqualifier from public service.
Hirono's questioning of Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus has been interpreted as part of a broader trend of anti-Catholic sentiment among progressive Democrats. Some commentators have accused her of religious intolerance and bigotry, suggesting that she and other Democrats want to limit the ability of believers to be a part of public life. However, it is worth noting that Hirono has also been criticised for her support of the right of LGBTQ+ Americans to serve in the Armed Forces, which may suggest a commitment to secularism rather than anti-Catholic sentiment.
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Anti-Catholic bigotry during judicial hearings
Anti-Catholic sentiment has been a recurring issue in the United States, with a history dating back to the early modern period. During this time, anti-clerical governments often targeted the Catholic Church, seeking to exert control over its structures and properties. This sentiment has persisted and evolved over the centuries, with populist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan infamously assuming an anti-Catholic stance.
In recent times, concerns have been raised about the emergence of "anti-Catholic bigotry" during judicial hearings. This issue gained prominence in 2017 when U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's questioning of then-judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a Catholic, was deemed "anti-Catholic." Feinstein's line of questioning suggested that Barrett's religious beliefs would impede her ability to rule impartially. Dr. Chad Pecknold, a theology professor at The Catholic University of America, described Feinstein's behaviour as "the worst sort of anti-Catholic bigotry," sending the message that "Catholics need not apply as federal judges."
Similar concerns arose in 2019, when Senators Mazie Hirono and Kamala Harris were accused of anti-Catholic comments during the judicial nomination hearing for Brian Buescher, a nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska. Hirono and Harris insinuated that Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic service organization, raised questions about his ability to be impartial. These comments sparked outrage, with critics arguing that such religious intolerance has no place in government and that no one should be excluded from serving in the judiciary because of their faith.
The issue of anti-Catholic bigotry during judicial hearings highlights a broader challenge in balancing religious beliefs with the impartial application of the law. While it is important to ensure that judicial nominees can uphold the law without bias, questioning their religious beliefs in a prejudicial manner has been deemed unacceptable. These incidents have prompted discussions about the role of religion in the judiciary and the need to respect religious diversity without compromising the integrity of the judicial process.
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The Catholic Church's view of Hirono's comments
In December 2018, Senator Mazie Hirono and fellow Democratic Senator Kamala Harris criticized a Catholic judge, Brian Buescher, for his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization and one of the world's most charitable entities. Both Hirono and Harris accused the Knights of sexism and criticized the organization for adhering to Catholic doctrine on the issues of gay marriage and abortion.
Hirono's comments were deemed anti-Catholic by some, including New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, who called for the U.S. Senate to condemn Hirono and Harris for their remarks. Pennacchio stated that "religious intolerance and bigotry of any kind have no place in the halls of government," and that the attack on the Knights of Columbus was an attack on the Catholic Church itself.
Catholic League President Bill Donohue also accused Hirono and Harris of "selective religious profiling and sexism." He claimed that their comments were an example of the growing trend of anti-Catholicism among progressive Democrats.
In response to the backlash, Hirono doubled down on her criticisms, accusing those who disagreed with her of being "alt-right." However, her use of the term was criticized by some as insulting and reckless, as it associated millions of Catholics who volunteer in their communities with hate groups.
Overall, while Hirono's comments were not specifically addressed by the Catholic Church, they were widely perceived as anti-Catholic by various individuals and organizations, including Catholic groups and politicians. The controversy surrounding her remarks sparked a broader discussion about religious intolerance and the role of religion in government.
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The media's reaction to Hirono's comments
During the judicial nomination hearing for Brian Buescher, a nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, Senator Mazie Hirono challenged Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, insinuating that his association with the group would impede his ability to rule impartially.
Hirono's comments sparked a backlash from some media outlets and politicians, who accused her of being anti-Catholic and intolerant of religious freedom. Some, such as New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, called for Hirono to be condemned by the U.S. Senate and her colleagues in Congress. Pennacchio, a Catholic himself, expressed his appall at Hirono's comments, stating that "religious intolerance and bigotry of any kind has no place in the halls of government." He also highlighted that the Knights of Columbus is an honorable service organization with a positive impact on millions of people.
Right-leaning media outlets, such as RedState, referred to Hirono as an "anti-Catholic bigot" and mocked her for equating religious freedom with the alt-right. They argued that Hirono's views on religion were indicative of a broader trend of anti-Catholic sentiment among progressive Democrats.
In response to the backlash, Hirono doubled down on her position, stating that the Senate's resolution affirming the unconstitutionality of rejecting nominees based on their membership in the Knights of Columbus was an embrace of the "alt-right." This response led to further criticism, with some arguing that Hirono was out of touch with the seriousness of the issue and treating it flippantly.
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Frequently asked questions
Senator Mazie Hirono has been labelled as anti-Catholic for her comments regarding Brian Buescher, a nominee for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, and his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus. She insinuated that Buescher's affiliation with the Knights of Columbus would impede his ability to rule impartially.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic service organization that has given back to millions of people, according to State Senator Joe Pennacchio.
State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) condemned Senators Hirono and Harris for their anti-Catholic comments and called for their colleagues in Congress to speak out against their conduct. He stated that religious intolerance and bigotry have no place in government.
