• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson takes the judicial oath of office as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court June 30, 2022. Administering the oath is Justice Stephen Breyer, whom she succeeds on the court due to his retirement, effective the same day. Jackson's husband, Patrick Jackson, holds the Bible during the ceremony. (CNS photo/Supreme Court of the United States, Handout via Reuters)

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in as Supreme Court justice

July 1, 2022
By Carol Zimmermann
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: Feature, News, Supreme Court, World News

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice June 30, becoming the first Black woman in that role.

The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court, after the court finished issuing its final opinions of the 2021-2022 term and Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement was official.

Jackson took the constitutional oath, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts and a judicial oath, administered by by the newly retired Breyer.

“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” she said.

“I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great nation,” she added.

Jackson, in the presence of other justices and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, took the oaths with her hand on two Bibles held by her husband, Patrick: a family Bible, and a Bible described as the “Harlan” Bible, that Justice John Marshall Harlan gave to the court in 1906.

In a statement, Jackson, 51, thanked both Roberts and Breyer and said Breyer had been her “personal friend and mentor” for two decades.

Breyer, also in a statement, issued by the court, said he was “glad today for Ketanji.”

“Her hard work, integrity and intelligence have earned her a place on this court. I am glad for my fellow justices. They gain a colleague who is empathetic, thoughtful and collegial,” he stated. “I am glad for America.”

Breyer also said his replacement would “interpret the law wisely and fairly, helping that law to work better for the American people, whom it serves.”

Jackson was confirmed by the Senate April 7 in a 53-47 vote.

Like the Senate, advocacy groups had a mixed reaction to her confirmation vote.

“Judge Jackson’s work as a public defender and a civil rights lawyer provide her a necessary framework” to serve on the court, said Mary Novak, executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobby.

She said her organization and its supporters are confident Jackson will “bring our country a step closer to achieving a more representative, inclusive and just democracy.”

Conversely, Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, said her organization was disappointed with the vote.

“Jackson’s record of judicial activism fails to align with the role of a Supreme Court justice, which is to interpret the Constitution without prejudice and to apply the law in an unbiased manner,” she said.

In a statement issued two months before the court voted to overturn its Roe v. Wade decision, she said: “Pro-life Americans understand the dangers of judicial activism, and the threats it poses to women and their children.”

During Jackson’s confirmation hearings this March, Republican senators said she was soft on crime and had not revealed her judicial philosophy, while Democrats emphasized Jackson’s qualifications for the role and the historic opportunity of confirming the nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court.

Jackson was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, after serving nearly eight years as a federal trial court judge in Washington. She worked with law firms and served as a federal public defender.

She clerked for Breyer in the 1999-2000 court term and said during remarks announcing her nomination that he demonstrated how a Supreme Court justice can demonstrate civility, grace and generosity of spirit.

During her confirmation hearing, Jackson said it was “extremely humbling” to be considered for Breyer’s seat on the court and added that she “could never fill his shoes,” but if she were confirmed, she hoped she would “carry on his spirit.”

Court watchers have pointed out that although her appointment is historic, her spot on the bench will not change the court’s current balance of liberal and conservative justices.

Jackson was asked a few times in the confirmation hearings about her abortion views. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked Jackson, as she has asked the last three court nominees, if Roe v. Wade was settled law. Jackson, as other nominees before her have done, agreed the court’s decision was a binding precedent.

When she was asked by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about her faith, she responded that she is “Protestant, nondenominational.” When pressed further about how important her faith is to her, she said that it was very important but added: “There is no religious test in the Constitution under Article 6.”

She also said it’s very important to “set aside one’s personal views about things” in the role of a judge.

When she was announced as Biden’s court nominee Feb. 25, Jackson said she was “truly humbled by the extraordinary honor of this nomination” and thanked God for bringing her to this point in her professional journey, adding: “One can only come this far by faith.”

She said she hoped her love of this country and the Constitution would inspire future generations of Americans.

Jackson will join a bench that includes six Catholic justices — Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Neil Gorsuch was raised Catholic but is now Episcopalian and Justice Elena Kagan is Jewish.

Also see

Supreme Court is asked to weigh in on future of abortion pill

USCCB argues protecting innocent life must be priority in gun rights case before high court

Catholic pro-life sidewalk counselor asks high court to review buffer zone precedent

High court sides with Christian web designer opposed to making websites for same-sex marriages

Supreme Court expands protections for workers seeking to observe holy days, Sunday rest

House Republican chair: Dobbs anniversary is ‘opportunity to continue to strengthen culture of life’

Copyright © 2022 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Carol Zimmermann

Catholic News Service is a leading agency for religious news. Its mission is to report fully, fairly and freely on the involvement of the church in the world today.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Three more pro-life activists convicted on federal charges for blockade at abortion clinic
  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors
  • Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization
  • Kicking up fun: Kickball tournament brings young adults together
  • Blue Mass brings ‘comfort,’ acknowledgement to first responders throughout Archdiocese of Baltimore

| Latest Local News |

Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization

Perfect harmony: Music internship program helps parishes in Western Maryland

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors

| Latest World News |

Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed

‘What’s going to happen?’: DACA ruling keeps ‘Dreamers’ in immigration limbo

Vatican asks U.N. Security Council to join efforts for peace in Ukraine

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed
  • ‘¿Qué va a pasar?’: El fallo sobre DACA mantiene a los ‘Dreamers’ en el limbo legal
  • ‘What’s going to happen?’: DACA ruling keeps ‘Dreamers’ in immigration limbo
  • Vatican asks U.N. Security Council to join efforts for peace in Ukraine
  • Former Soviet political prisoners urge Jewish and Ukrainian unity amid WWII memorial row
  • Russia’s goal is to destroy population in Ukraine, Lviv bishop says after drone attack
  • Catholic high school teacher fired for covering up previous employment, sex services charges
  • New stage for U.S. seminarians focuses on human and spiritual formation
  • Videogame Review: ‘Under the Waves’

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED