Questions about judges' religion are justified

Some Democratic senators were charged with anti-Catholic bigotry by Michael Gerson in his Jan. 18 column. His charge is unwarranted.

Many tenets of the Catholic Church are in conflict with provisions of the U.S. Constitution and U.S. laws. Recognizing that, John F. Kennedy said during his presidential candidacy, "I am not the Catholic candidate for president … … I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me." He could not have been elected without clarifying the separation.

Nominees for federal judgeships are questioned in a hearing before the Judicial Committee of the U.S. Senate. Some nominees, of course, are members of the Catholic Church. Sometimes, questions about the nominee's faith are asked because of the recognized conflicts.

Those sitting in judgment of other humans in the United States must base their rulings, not on religious beliefs, but on the law. It is the duty of the senators on that committee to determine, to their own satisfaction, whether the nominee is able, and willing, to do that (or willing to recuse themselves when they are unable).

Charging certain senators with religious bigotry because they ask judicial nominees questions about their faith is unfair and unwarranted. Such questions are not only justified, they are essential to our judicial system.

Donald G. Westlake

Wheaton