Catholics, though few in number, have lengthy history on high court

Published: 2005-07-21

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If Judge John G. Roberts is confirmed for a seat on the Supreme Court, he will become one of the historically small number of Catholic justices -- the first of whom joined the court as its chief justice in 1836, more than 50 years after the court was established. Roberts, a federal appeals judge for the District of Columbia, was nominated July 19 to fill the vacancy created by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement. Roberts graduated from Catholic elementary and high schools in Indiana, and he and his family are members of the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Md. Should he be confirmed to the court, Roberts will be the 10th Catholic justice in history and the fourth among current members, the most ever at one time.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .