The Pew Forum has some very interesting statistics about the religious makeup of the 111th Congress. Catholics members make up 30.1% of the House of Representatives and 26.3% of the Senate.
Since 1960 no other denomination has grown in percentage of membership than Catholics increasing by 11.3% from 18.8% to 30.1%. The mainline protestant denominations, like their overall adherents, experienced the most attrition. The Methodists have 7.5% less, the Presbyterians 5.6%, and the Anglicans -5.3%. All protestant denominations lost a total of 19.4%
While other religions have gained some additional representation [Jewish, Mormon, and Muslim],no other denomination has as much representation as Catholics. Overall, the combined protestant denominations still make up 54% of the Congress.
Imagine just for a moment the impact that 30% of the membership of congress could have if they stood up for life the way the Church encourages them too. Never before has the Congress been so Catholic, and yet not Catholic at all.
Catholics cannot claim that we were powerless when faced with the horror of millions of little lives snuffed each year. We were there. We did nothing. History should not treat us kindly.
January 7, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I’m just wondering how many of those Catholics in Congress are actually Catholics and not “Cafeteria” Catholics…the John Kerrys, the Nancy Pelosis…the ones who claim to be Catholic and yet continue to support abortion.
I’d think the number of Catholics would be even less if we counted only the ones who are obedient to Church teachings.
January 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Patrick,
The last time I checked, I’ve done all in my power to put pro-life politicians in office; so I don’t know about you, but I certainly would demand that history treat me kindly. It certainly isn’t our collective fault as Catholics that those faithless members of the Church who are elected to Congress are traitors to the Faith.
I was there. I did what was prudent. Speak for yourself.
January 7, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Christopher Michael,
Duly noted. I hereby state for any future historians who come across this blog that while the bulk of Catholics were remiss in their duty, one Christopher Michael was very prudent in this regard. In his commenting however, somewhat less prudent.
Peace Out.
January 7, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Patrick,
You’re hilarious… I was speaking for all diligently pro-life Catholics, not simply for myself.
~cmpt
January 7, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Just because it’s more fun to analyze others than ourselves… The fact that the fourth largest Protestant denomination in Congress was “unspecified” really jumped out at me (combine them with the Nondenominationals and they’re the third largest). Was the intent of the original Protestant reformers to establish some kind of big-tent, generic Christianity where anyone can believe whatever he wants? It makes you wonder how they’d rate the success of the reformation if they were walking the earth today.
January 7, 2009 at 8:05 pm
If more Catholic politicians stood up for life then they would have a lot more trouble getting elected.
January 7, 2009 at 8:58 pm
It’s sadly scandalous. We must pray for them, that they finally see and understand the terrible error they make. It is possible to change. Not so very long ago I was one of those personally opposed to abortion, but thinking that every woman had her own right to choose. My mind was suddenly and dramatically changed when I was reading Luke 1:39-45. The description of the infant John leaping within the womb at coming near to the infant Christ became so vividly clear in my imagination. That was it- no more trying to jigger together politically correct opinions (that I knew in my heart were wrong) with my re-ignited faith and return to the Church. I believe I have the Holy Spirit to thank for this. So I pray that the Catholics and other Christians in Congress have their own moments of clarity.
January 9, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Hmmm.. Based on this report, it seems that if Congress were to truly represent the American People, there should be a lot more members who do not follow a faith or who are impartial to it, since that seems to match up with 16% of the population. Haha! There are also more catholics in office than those represented by the general population. I think that shows great strides in the acceptance of Catholics.