Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed

Senate Confirms Notre Dame Prof, 'Catholic Pentecostal' Mom of 7, to Serve as 7th Circuit Court Judge - Christian Post

Amy Coney Barrett, a devout "Catholic Pentecostal" mother of seven who teaches and researches at the University of Notre Dame Law School was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Monday to serve as a judge for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, despite concerns raised by some lawmakers about her devotion to her faith.

Barrett, 45, whose teaching and research focus on the areas of federal courts, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation, was reported by The New York Times as being a member of a closely knit charismatic and ecumenical Christian group called People of Praise in South Bend, Indiana.

The group is "part of a global movement that has brought powerful new experiences of the Holy Spirit to more than 500 million people since the beginning of the 20th century," their website says. "This historic revival is known as the Pentecostal movement or the charismatic renewal. . . "

At a Senate hearing in September in a discussion over whether Barrett's Roman Catholic faith would influence her decisions on the bench, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told the mother of seven that "the dogma lives loudly within you."

Progressives also raised concern, says The New York Times, because the 7th Circuit post is just one rung below the Supreme Court. Barrett is often mentioned as a potential candidate for the high court, if Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were to retire.

- Father, we thank You that this excellent jurist and sister in Christ has been approved by the U.S. Senate to fill this key vacancy in the 7th Circuit. May her appointment be just the beginning of many more to follow, so that the seats of the courts in our land may be filled with those who judge cases according to Your law, amen.

- "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34