WASHINGTON (July 6, 2005)—Spokane Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of
the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has written to
President Bush about “the qualities that I hope you would contemplate” as
Mr. Bush considers the appointment of a successor to Justice Sandra Day
O’Connor who announced her retirement from the Supreme Court on July 1.
In his letter, dated July 1, Bishop Skylstad wrote that “the legacy of a
Supreme Court Justice is long and the influence of the Court on the life
of the country and the development of the Law is considerable.”
Bishop Skylstad noted that the USCCB does not participate in the
confirmation process “by endorsing or opposing specific nominees. Our
concern is for principles and policies rather than for personalities.” He
said that “we will maintain that position with regard to this Supreme
Court appointment and to those that will come in the future.”
However, noting “the Supreme Court’s ability to affect both principles and
policies,” Bishop Skylstad asked Mr. Bush to consider “qualified jurists
who, pre-eminently, support the protection of human life from conception
to natural death, especially of those who are unborn, disabled, or
terminally ill.”
Bishop Skylstad asked Mr. Bush “to consider jurists who are also cognizant
of the rights of minorities, immigrants, and those in need; respect the
role of religion and of religious institutions in our society and the
protections afforded them by the First Amendment; recognize the value of
parental choice in education; and favor restraining and ending the use of
the death penalty.”
Bishop Skylstad concluded, “Our prayers are with you as you make this
decision which is so crucial for our nation.”
The full text of the letter appears below.
Dear Mr. President,
As the nation ponders the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the
occasion of her retirement from the bench, we are reminded that the legacy
of a Supreme Court Justice is long and the influence of the Court on the
life of the country and the development of the Law is considerable. At
this time, I want to take the opportunity to draw to your attention the
qualities that I hope you would contemplate as you decide on the
appointment of her successor.
When a nomination is made, the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops does not participate by endorsing or opposing specific nominees.
Our concern is for principles and policies rather than for personalities.
We will maintain that position with regard to this Supreme Court
appointment and to those that will come in the future.
However, because of the Supreme Court’s ability to affect both principles
and policies, I urge you to consider for the Court qualified jurists who,
pre-eminently, support the protection of human life from conception to
natural death, especially of those who are unborn, disabled, or terminally
ill. I would ask you to consider jurists who are also cognizant of the
rights of minorities, immigrants, and those in need; respect the role of
religion and of religious institutions in our society and the protections
afforded them by the First Amendment; recognize the value of parental
choice in education; and favor restraining and ending the use of the death
penalty. There are many specific applications of these and other
fundamental matters which the USCCB has addressed or will address in the
future through amicus briefs.
Our prayers are with you as you make this decision which is so crucial for
our nation.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President