Washington's Red Mass Is Sunday As Supreme Court Opens Its Term

This Sunday, as the Supreme Court's term is about to open, Washington's 56th annual Red Mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. Several justices traditionally attend, along with congressional leaders, diplomats, cabinet secretaries, and sometimes the President. CNN reports that the Red Mass dates back centuries and brings together government leaders involved in the law. Critics, however, say this improperly gives the Catholic Church a special way to lecture the justices.

Barry Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says that Washington's Red Mass was begun after several Supreme Court decisions were handed down that troubled the Church. The Mass is sponsored by the John Carroll Society, a lay Catholic group of legal professionals. Jane Roberts, wife of the chief justice, is an officer of the Society. Currently six of the Justices on the Court are Catholic. Justices of other faiths are invited to the Mass as well, and some, like Justice Breyer (who is Jewish), attend. However Justice Ginsburg, has stopped going because of the subject matter of the sermons. Church officials deny using the Mass to lobby the Court. Last year, 5 Justices attended. (See prior posting.)