An analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life found that Catholics are one of several denominations whose representation in Congress exceeds their representation in the U.S. population. Pew reported that with 156 Catholics in the House and Senate, Catholics make up 29.2 percent of the 112th Congress but 23.9 percent of all U.S. adults. Also disproportionately represented are Protestants overall, Jews and Mormons, according to the study, issued on Jan. 6. Numbering 304 out of the 535 members of the new Congress, Protestants comprise 56.8 percent of Congress, versus 51.3 percent of U.S. adults. The Jews in Congress (39) account for 7.3 percent of lawmakers, versus 1.7 percent of U.S. adults. The 15 Mormons make up 2.8 percent of Congress; 1.7 percent of adults are Mormons. The 58 members of Congress who do not specify a Christian denomination come to 10.8 percent, versus 5.1 percent of U.S. adults.
Congressional Believers
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
“His presence brings prestige to our nation and to the entire Group of 7. It is the first time that a pope will participate in the work of the G7,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
“Many conflicting, divergent and often contradictory views of the human person have found wide acceptance … they have led to holders of traditional theories being cancelled or even losing their jobs,” the bishops said.
Robots can give you facts. But they can’t give you faith.
“Irena’s Vow” is true story of a Catholic nurse who used her position to shelter a dozen Jews in World War II-era Poland.