Under new chief, court hears cases on religious rights, end of life

Published: 2005-09-30

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As if having a new chief justice and soon one new associate justice on the Supreme Court weren't enough, the October term also will bring a busy session of cases that have implications for churches and their interests. The justices were starting their first week with a case on the constitutionality of Oregon's law permitting assisted suicide. Farthest out on the court's calendar to date is a case just accepted for early 2006 that raises questions about a campaign finance law that restricted the type of ads Wisconsin Right to Life was allowed to run during last year's congressional election campaign. In between, the docket includes cases dealing with how the death penalty is applied in different states and laws affecting minors who want abortions and protesters outside abortion clinics. After opening Oct. 3 with new Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, the court's makeup will change again, perhaps as soon as this fall. When she announced her retirement in June, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said she would stay until her replacement is on the bench.

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