Who was the first Catholic Speaker of the House?

[Mr. Morden]

With Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic, set to become House Speaker, I was wondering who was the first Catholic Speaker of the House?  I think Tip O'Neill was Catholic, but don't know much about the speakers before that.  We didn't have a Catholic president until the 1960s, and I was just wondering if there was a similarly long interval before we had a Catholic speaker.

Also, I'm assuming that Harry Reid will be the first Mormon Senate Majority Leader?  And, as I don't think Mormons typically count as Protestants, I would assume that this will be the first time that neither the Speaker nor Senate Majority Leader is a Protestant?

[DownWithTheLeft]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Not sure. I think McCormack was a Catholic though.

[Virginian87]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

You know, I'm not a fan of Pelosi either, but that's ridiculous.  I can't stand it when ultraconservative Roman Catholics decry the more liberal ones for not adhering to EVERY SINGLE piece of dogma, like when pro-choice legislators get denied Holy Communion.  I'm sure my Presbyterian minister (keep in mind I go to a Southern Presbyterian church) would never have any objection to a liberal member of his congregation.

Statements like that are just more evidence that a good deal of the Catholic Church is a backwards institution.  Another reason why mainline Protestantism is the way to go.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

You know, I'm not a fan of Pelosi either, but that's ridiculous.  I can't stand it when ultraconservative Roman Catholics decry the more liberal ones for not adhering to EVERY SINGLE piece of dogma, like when pro-choice legislators get denied Holy Communion.  I'm sure my Presbyterian minister (keep in mind I go to a Southern Presbyterian church) would never have any objection to a liberal member of his congregation.

Statements like that are just more evidence that a good deal of the Catholic Church is a backwards institution.  Another reason why mainline Protestantism is the way to go.

It's not more liberal ones, Nancy Pelosi is one of the most liberal ones.  I could call myself a Jew but that wouldn't make sense because I am not and do not believe in Judaism

[Everett]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

[Keystone Phil]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

The phone is busy.

[Mr. Morden]

Not sure. I think McCormack was a Catholic though.

Did some more digging, and it looks like McCormack was the first:

http://www.catholichistory.net/People/JohnWMcCormack.htm

[DownWithTheLeft]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

The phone is busy.

Idk, the church has gotten so liberal lately, Jesus would have snapped this b*tch's neck in half

[bullmoose88]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

The phone is busy.

Idk, the church has gotten so liberal lately, Jesus would have snapped this b*tch's neck in half

I'm sure thats what He would have done.

[Keystone Phil]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

The phone is busy.

Idk, the church has gotten so liberal lately, Jesus would have snapped this b*tch's neck in half

Appropriate but since liberals are usually against the death penalty...

[TeePee4Prez]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

You know, I'm not a fan of Pelosi either, but that's ridiculous.  I can't stand it when ultraconservative Roman Catholics decry the more liberal ones for not adhering to EVERY SINGLE piece of dogma, like when pro-choice legislators get denied Holy Communion.  I'm sure my Presbyterian minister (keep in mind I go to a Southern Presbyterian church) would never have any objection to a liberal member of his congregation.

Statements like that are just more evidence that a good deal of the Catholic Church is a backwards institution.  Another reason why mainline Protestantism is the way to go.

Amazing how the ultra conservative Catholics don't adhere to every piece of dogma as well, but according the Church hierarchy- they're saints.

[Ben.]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

You know, I'm not a fan of Pelosi either, but that's ridiculous.  I can't stand it when ultraconservative Roman Catholics decry the more liberal ones for not adhering to EVERY SINGLE piece of dogma, like when pro-choice legislators get denied Holy Communion.  I'm sure my Presbyterian minister (keep in mind I go to a Southern Presbyterian church) would never have any objection to a liberal member of his congregation.

Statements like that are just more evidence that a good deal of the Catholic Church is a backwards institution.  Another reason why mainline Protestantism is the way to go.

As a Catholic I'd argue that some (and i stress "some"!) of her politics are inconsistent with her professed faith... but that is her business it is not my place to criticise other people for how they practise their faith, there’s a guy much higher up the food chain who can, and will, settle all that when the time comes... for now i politely, but firmly, disagree with her (as I do with plenty of other Catholics... we're an eclectic bunch ).


However, saying she has no morals is just silly... and frankly it’s hardly a Christian attitude either. 


PS: All this is leaving aside the fact that I don’t think we agree on any issue of substance, politically… though I’ve been impressed at how she’s led the Dems on a pretty centrist path since she became leader, and that is all for the good.   

[Keystone Phil]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

You know, I'm not a fan of Pelosi either, but that's ridiculous.  I can't stand it when ultraconservative Roman Catholics decry the more liberal ones for not adhering to EVERY SINGLE piece of dogma, like when pro-choice legislators get denied Holy Communion.  I'm sure my Presbyterian minister (keep in mind I go to a Southern Presbyterian church) would never have any objection to a liberal member of his congregation.

Statements like that are just more evidence that a good deal of the Catholic Church is a backwards institution.  Another reason why mainline Protestantism is the way to go.

Amazing how the ultra conservative Catholics don't adhere to every piece of dogma as well, but according the Church hierarchy- they're saints.

You don't have to follow every dogma to be a saint and there have been very liberal individuals canonized also.

[afleitch]

Catholics are probably the most 'flexable' when it comes to practicing their faith and in all honesty individual priests tend to be more relaxed than bishops or cardinals. Indeed the advice I got from a Jesuit (how I love the Jesuits) priest probably saved me from leaving the Church a few years back.

[Deano963]

I'm going to say Nancy Pelosi isn't your typical Catholic considering she has 0 moral values what so ever, Satan is more religious

Down, stop embarrassing yourself. That was an asinine statement if I ever read one and not a very Christian one, either. Also, people of similar political ideology to Pelosi would likely take great offense that you are basically saying that they have no morals or values. If you have nothing intelligent to say, jsut keep your mouth shut you fool.

[Colin]

Catholics are probably the most 'flexable' when it comes to practicing their faith and in all honesty individual priests tend to be more relaxed than bishops or cardinals. Indeed the advice I got from a Jesuit (how I love the Jesuits) priest probably saved me from leaving the Church a few years back.

I believe that is due to the massive amount of pluralism found within the Church. Look at the countries represented in the College of Cardinals. When you're Church includes everyone from liberal secular Frenchmen to Nigerians to strict doctinary Guatemalans to Canadians to Indians you need to be more "flexible" with faith in order to keep the organization together. The Church recognizes this and while it does not condone those going against Church dogma they really overlook it in a way smaller more localized religions do not.

[Verily]

Tell the Catholic Church to kick her out, then.

The phone is busy.

Idk, the church has gotten so liberal lately, Jesus would have snapped this b*tch's neck in half

Appropriate but since liberals are usually against the death penalty...

Sounds you're accusing Jesus of being a liberal

Jesus said to love everyone, even the non-believers. He certainly wouldn't have snapped the neck of a liberal member of his following.

[© tweed]

Jesus said to love everyone

Sure, but he also said we were going to burn in hell.

[Wakie]

Groan.  I love it when non-Catholics speak for the rest of us.  Yes, I'm a Roman Catholic.  Part of my education includes Catholic schooling.  One thing that was drilled into us repeatedly is that Jesus is love, not "snapping someone's neck".

That being said, the church isn't perfect.  In fact most Catholics will tell you it is pretty messed up.  The total opposition to birth control (even by a married couple) is one of many stupid things the church backs that most of us do not.

[Wakie]

Jesus said to love everyone

Sure, but he also said we were going to burn in hell.

Lets be honest, Jesus could never be elected in this day and age.

He's soft on terrorism.  "Turn the other cheek."
He hung out w/ a former prostitute.  Instant scandal.
He's soft on crime.  "Let he who is w/o sin cast the first stone."
He was an anti-business Marxist.  Remember that bit about kicking the money-changers out of the temple?

[TeePee4Prez]

Catholics are probably the most 'flexable' when it comes to practicing their faith and in all honesty individual priests tend to be more relaxed than bishops or cardinals. Indeed the advice I got from a Jesuit (how I love the Jesuits) priest probably saved me from leaving the Church a few years back.

Actually I recently spoke with a Jesuit that has me thinking too.  Interesting bunch they are.

[Michael Z]

Jesus said to love everyone

Sure, but he also said we were going to burn in hell.

That's because HE LOVES US!