Anti-Catholicism in the Senate?

America has a long and sordid association with Anti-Catholic bigotry and discrimination - but is that rearing its ugly head again in national politics? Some Republicans are alleging and Democratic opposition to the nomination of Bill Pryor to the 11th Circuit Court is based mainly or entirely to the fact that Pryor is a devout Catholic and has strong Catholic beliefs.

Democrats, however, are crying foul, themselves alleging that the issue of Catholicism has been brought up first and primarily by Republicans who are using the allegation of bigotry as a means of avoiding debate over Pryor's legal views. According to an editorial in the Washington Post:

Mr. Pryor's nomination is controversial for the simple reason that he has never shied away from taking strident positions on matters of national moment: His record is replete with the sort of unblinking partisanship and ideological fervor that properly should raise questions about potential service on the bench.

Of course, Pryor's claim to be a "devout" Catholic are open to debate since he disagrees with the church's position on social issues like the death penalty. And who can reasonably accuse Catholic Democrats of being anti-Catholic bigots?

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