Notre Dame President Attacks Feinstein For ‘Chilling’ Grilling Of Catholic Nominee
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By Nathan Guttman September 12, 2017
When questioning appeals court judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett, California Democrat Dianne Feinstein expressed her concern that “dogma lives loudly” within the would-be judge.
Now Feinstein’s comments made during a confirmation hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee, are drawing a wave of criticism for their insensitivity toward people of faith and the suggestion that devout Catholics cannot be objective when enforcing the rule of law.
Red State reported on a letter sent to Feinstein by Rev. John I. Jenkins, president of Notre Damme, where Barrett is a law professor.
“I ask you and your colleagues to respect those in whom ‘dogma lives loudly’ — which is a condition we call faith,” Jenkins wrote. “For the attempt to live such faith while one upholds the law should command respect, not evoke concern.”
Feinstein also heard from Princeton University president Christopher Eisgruber, who is Jewish. He wrote to her asking that senators “refrain from interrogating nominees about the religious or spiritual foundations of their jurisprudential views.”
Contact Nathan Guttman at guttman@forward.com
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