wfn.org | Catholics remain largest religious bloc in Congress

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Note #6324 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

09-January-2001
01004

Catholics remain largest religious bloc in Congress

Presbyterians gain two seats, now total 49

by Adelle Banks
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON -- Catholics continue to dominate numerically in the U.S.
Congress, followed by Baptists and Methodists, according to the latest tally
by Americans for Religious Liberty.

	Of the 535 members of the 107th Congress, 150 are Roman Catholic, including
91 Democrats and 59 Republicans, the Maryland?based organization reported in
Voice of Reason, its quarterly newsletter.

	Baptist membership increased by three, to 72, with 37 Republicans, 34
Democrats and one independent. The largest jump in membership was that of
Methodists, who added six, for a total of 65, including 39 Republicans and
26 Democrats.

	The top religious affiliations have remained the same for decades, with
Catholics as No. 1. "They have been since 1964," said Albert Menendez,
associate editor of the newsletter. "They're going to stay in first place,
probably forever."

	Presbyterians in Congress increased by two members to a total of 49,
including 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Episcopalians dropped by one to
41, with 30 Republicans and 11 Democrats. Jewish members saw an increase of
three, to 37, with 33 Democrats, 3 Republicans and one independent.

	The number of members who identified themselves as "nondenominational
Protestant" decreased by five, to a total of 29, with 19 Republicans and 10
Democrats.

	Rounding out the top 10 were 20 Lutherans (11 Democrats and nine
Republicans), 15 Mormons (12 Republicans and three Democrats) and eight
members of the United Church of Christ (five Republicans and three
Democrats).

	Geographically, Catholic members are often from the Northeast, the Great
Lakes region and California. Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians members
are mostly from the South.

	Seven members claimed no religious affiliation. There are no Muslim,
Buddhist or Hindu members.

	Americans for Religious Liberty is a group that monitors trends in religion
and politics and supports church-state separation.

	For a list of the Presbyterian members of Congress, contact the
Presbyterian Washington Office at 202-543-1126.

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