In the article, “Gabbard takes aim at Hirono, other Democratic colleagues” (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10), two senators are accused of religious bigotry in questioning the suitability of a Nebraska District Court nominee because of his membership in the Catholic organization Knights of Columbus, which held earlier positions against same-sex marriage and abortion — positions called “extremist” by U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Kamala Harris.

That opinion labels the pope as an extremist and possibly questions the suitability of the six Supreme Court justices who are practicing Catholics or have Catholic backgrounds. As U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s spokeswoman noted, freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution.

Further, the Constitution’s Article VI prohibits religious tests for office, to wit: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office of public Trust Under the United States.”

Gabbard should be complimented for identifying the bigotry and the senators should be given a civics course refresher.

Tom Freitas

Hawaii Kai

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