The Red Mass vs. the U.S. Constitution

By Mary Shaw

Yesterday, the annual "Red Mass" was held in various Catholic churches and cathedrals across the country. This annual mass is held before the Supreme Court's fall session opens, and is intended to invoke the Holy Spirit's guidance in the administration of justice in the coming year. This is where Catholics come together to pray for holy rulings by the judiciary. I kid you not.

The Red Mass held in D.C. typically has a number of Supreme Court justices in attendance, by invitation from the Cardinal.

And often the officiating priest uses this opportunity to appeal for Catholic Church interests, such as anti-abortion rulings.

So how is this not a blatant violation of the Constitutionally-mandated separation of Church and State?

Aren't the Supreme Court Justices paid to base their rulings on the U.S. Constitution rather than the will of the Pope?

And how is this political mass not an insult to non-Christian justices, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg (who is Jewish)? And to non-Christian Americans in general?

Imagine the outrage if the Supreme Court justices were invited to attend a similar event annually at a mosque rather than a church -- and did so.