NEW YORK (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday morning in West Texas, is being remembered for his strong Catholic faith.
Scalia and his wife, Maureen, had nine children. One of them is a Catholic priest.
On the nation’s highest court, Justice Scalia voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, and to allow a closer relationship between government and religion.
The Reverend Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, says Scalia spoke many times about his faith in conversations they had. Pavone says despite Justice Scalia’s decades at one of the pinnacles of government, he considered the “spiritual power” of the priesthood to be greater than any earthly power.
Pavone’s ministry and others are suing to block the health care law’s contraceptive coverage mandate, saying the Obama administration’s accommodation for faith-based groups still violates their religious freedom. The case goes before the Supreme Court next month.