Trump's Top 4 Picks for Supreme Court: Here's What You Need to Know

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Amy Coney Barrett

A 45-year-old devout Catholic and mother of 7, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals last October by the U.S. Senate.

In addition to her Catholic faith, Barrett has ties to a Pentecostal group called People of Praise, which traces its origins to the campus of the University of Notre Dame, where she taught at the law school.

During her hearing before the Senate, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California took issue with Barrett's faith, expressing concern that she would let her Catholic views influence her decisions.

"I think in your case, professor, when you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you, and that's of concern when you come to big issues that large numbers of people have fought for years in this country," stated Sen. Feinstein.

Barrett responded to the criticism of Feinstein and other Senate Democrats by noting that she did consider herself a "faithful Catholic" but would not let her religious beliefs influence her judicial obligations.

"If you're asking whether I'm a faithful Catholic, I am, although I would stress that my own personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear on the discharge of my duties as a judge," responded Barrett.