Religion Already An Issue In O'Connor Succession

Only hours after Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the US Supreme Court, issues of religion have begun to find their way into the debate about her successor, according to a report by the Christian Communication Network. A new Catholic-based organization, Fidelis, has begun an advertising campaign focusing on claimed religious bigotry in recent judicial confirmation hearings. They point to statements made during the hearings on William Pryor, as well as more recent statements by Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean. Fidelis' president Joseph Cella said: "Catholics and all people of faith must join together and defend Supreme Court nominees who will likely be attacked because of their faith and deeply-held beliefs."