Red Mass Highlights Importance of Supreme Court as New Term Begins

WASHINGTON – On the eve of the Supreme Court’s new term, President Bush attended an annual Roman Catholic mass for the judiciary at Washington’s historic St. Matthew’s Cathedral.

The president, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer were among those present at the standing room-only crowd of worshippers who marked the Red Mass, which has been held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral since 1952.

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the archbishop of Washington who presided over late Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s funeral, also at St. Matthew’s, told the crowd that they were there to pray for Roberts and for guidance in the new term, according to the Associated Press.

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"In the last few days, we have witnessed a period of greater civility in the selection of our chief justice," AP reported McCarrick as saying.

"I pray that that will continue because it is so important not just for good government, but for the good care of our people who look here to all of you and your colleagues for the kind of leadership that is not destructive or too intensely partisan,” he continued, in reference to the search for a replacement for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Unlike the relatively smooth confirmation process Roberts faced, political observers predict a bumpier ride for the next nominee, who will be taking the place of the more moderate swing-vote O’Connor.

“It is clear the next nominee will face a major confirmation battle,” Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote on Sept. 30. “If there is going to be a fight, it needs to be a nominee who is worth fighting for.”

During this term, the Supreme Court will decide on critical issues facing Evangelicals, including abortion and the pledge of allegiance. Other issues such as same-sex marriage and, stem-cell research and cloning will likely reach the High Court in the near future.

Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, attended the Red Mass and said the service highlighted the “strong Judeo-Christian heritage” of America.

“You had the heads of the executive and judicial branches and representatives from the legislative branch fully participating in the prayers, hymn singing and even in a clear profession of Christian faith," said Schenck. "There was no separation of church and state today."

The Mass is named for its red vestments and for the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and is held on the Sunday before the opening of each new Supreme Court term. The Red Mass, sponsored by the John Carroll Society, stresses the unique responsibility of those involved in the justice system and the courts.