Texas Archbishop Urges Supreme Court Justices To Curb Abortion

A high-ranking Roman Catholic cleric from Texas criticized legal abortion before six members of the U.S. Supreme Court, Vice President Joe Biden and several cabinet members at a special religious service in Washington, D.C., Oct. 4.

Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, speaking at the annual “Red Mass,” urged members of the legal profession to protect the “literally voiceless” – a reference to the church’s stand against all abortions.

“There are always smoldering wicks and bruised reeds needing our human attention,” DiNardo said. “The many smoldering wicks are our ‘clients’ but more than clients. They are the poor and wealthy, confused and lucid, polite and impolite. In some cases, the clients are voiceless for they lack influence; in others they are literally voiceless, not yet with tongues and even without names. They too require our most careful attention and radical support.”

The Roman Catholic worship service takes place at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. It always attracts a large crowd, and many government officials attend.

Newly appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor attended, along with Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer and Chief Justice John Roberts. (Justice Clarence Thomas, who often attends the service, was reportedly out of town attending a wedding.)

In addition to Biden, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood were present. Legal Times reported that more than 1,000 people attended this year’s service.

This was the 56th year of the Red Mass – so named for the color of the vestments worn by the celebrants – in Washington. In past years, critics (including Americans United) have expressed concern about the service, arguing that it gives the Catholic hierarchy an unparalleled opportunity to lobby the justices on issues such as abortion, gay rights, tax aid to religious schools and stem-cell research.

The decision to invite DiNardo to deliver the homily raised some eyebrows. The cleric sparked controversy earlier this year after he criticized the University of Notre Dame for inviting President Barack Obama to be its commencement speaker in the spring.

Aside from the references to abortion, DiNardo urged members of the legal profession to use their religious beliefs as a guide. He called on them to rely on “divine fire from the Lord” in their professional lives, not just their personal ones.

The cardinal ended his message to the justices and other governmental officials, “May that voice of the Word of God touch our hearts and tongues in the judicial year that lies ahead.”

A few days before the mass, AU Executive Director Lynn appeared on CNN to discuss the event.

“The truth is, this was set up as a way to basically lecture and give information to the justices,” Lynn said. “There is no other institution that has this special way to talk to the justices on the Supreme Court.”