Washington D.C., Oct 31, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Christian groups are applauding President George W. Bush’s nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court.
He was nominated Monday to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. If confirmed, Alito would be the fifth Catholic justice on the Supreme Court, joining Chief Justice John Roberts and associate justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Anthony Kennedy.
"Judge Alito's qualifications are outstanding," said Samuel Casey, executive director of the Christian Legal Society. "Judge Alito has participated in hundreds of appeals and authored scores of opinions in his 15 years on the Third Circuit. Like Chief Justice Roberts, Judge Alito was a respected appellate advocate before he went on the bench, arguing 12 cases before the Supreme Court and numerous appeals in the lower federal courts.”
Gregory Baylor, director of Christian Legal Society's Center for Law & Religious Freedom, lauded Alito for his correct interpretation and application of the First Amendment's religion clauses. "Judge Alito appears to understand that the Constitution protects the religious exercise rights of all Americans," said Baylor.