Vice President Kamala Harris, now running for president, faces sharp criticism from religious organizations accusing her of deep-seated “anti-Catholic bias.” Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, stated on X that Harris believes devout Catholics should be barred from serving as federal judges.

The controversy centers on Harris’s questioning of U.S. District Court nominee Brian C. Buescher in 2018. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Harris scrutinized Buescher’s membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic charity. She implied that the group’s stances against abortion and same-sex marriage could disqualify Buescher from the judiciary.
Critics argue that Harris’s line of questioning resembled an unconstitutional religious test, targeting beliefs central to Catholic doctrine.

Kathleen Blomquist, spokesperson for the Knights of Columbus, condemned Harris’s implications. “The Knights of Columbus were founded in response to anti-Catholic bigotry, and we’re proud of our contributions to society,” Blomquist said. “It’s disappointing to see commitment to Catholic principles viewed as a disqualifier from public service.”

Kenneth Craycraft, a professor at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, warned that Harris could be the most significant threat to religious freedom if elected. He asserted that Harris has shown clear intentions to implement policies against the Catholic Church and those adhering to its moral teachings.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, highlighted Harris’s consistent targeting of religious individuals, especially Catholics. He pointed out her support for the Equality Act, which he labeled as highly anti-religious liberty, and her vote against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

Burch emphasized that Harris has epitomized the corruption and intolerance seen in extreme left-wing politicians. “Harris has specifically targeted faith-based and pro-life individuals for their beliefs,” he said. “Her track record shows a pattern of weaponizing the government against political opponents.”