Letter: Churches should take a stand on religious tests

FILE - In this May 10, 2017, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Associated Press

Now that President Donald Trump has nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy created by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, should not be permitted to be one of the questioners at any potential confirmation hearing for Barrett. In 2017, Feinstein raged against Barrett at her federal judgeship confirmation hearing, badgering her about her deeply held Catholic faith — declaring that in her opinion, certain of Barrett’s earlier rulings reflected insertion of her Catholic dogma and doctrinal teachings.

Article VI, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution states, “but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Feinstein violated that rule and should have been censured. Mitt Romney’s religion was also used against him in his presidential candidacy.

Should not religious leaders take a position demanding that a nominee’s religion is a matter of public record but not of consideration for public office? They don’t have to like or support Trump or his push for filling the vacancy, but they must respect the Constitution which gave them the freedom to practice their faith.

James Oshust

Millcreek

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