Bishop Barron slams Carrie Prejean for 'absurd' claims on removal from Religious Liberty Commission
Bishop Robert Barron criticized Carrie Prejean Boller's claims that her removal from the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty was due to her Catholic beliefs. Boller was removed in February after repeatedly criticizing Zionism during a commission hearing focused on combating antisemitism. During the hearing, Boller stated that Catholics do not embrace Zionism and questioned witnesses about condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. Commission Chairman Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated Boller was removed for hijacking the hearing to push her personal and political agenda. Boller alleged on social media that her removal was discriminatory and urged Bishop Barron, a fellow commission member, to speak out against it.
about 1 month ago
Carrie Prejean Boller was removed from the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty in February 2026 after disrupting a hearing on combating antisemitism.1 2 3
She repeatedly criticized Zionism, stating "Catholics do not embrace Zionism" and questioning Israel's actions in Gaza.1 2 3
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission chairman, stated no member can "hijack a hearing" for personal agendas.1 2 3
Boller claimed her removal violated her religious liberty and stemmed from articulating Catholic teachings.1 2 3
In a March 20 X post, she urged Bishop Robert Barron and other Catholics on the commission to defend her, warning "if my religious freedom is not protected, then no one’s is."1 2 3
On March 20, Winona-Rochester Bishop Barron called Boller's claims "absurd" and "simply preposterous."1 2 3
He argued her dismissal resulted from "browbeating witnesses" and "hijacking the meeting for her own political purposes," not her beliefs.1 2 3
Barron emphasized that if beliefs were the issue, he would also be removed, as he fully subscribes to the Catholic stance on Zionism.1 2 3
The Church opposes antisemitism unequivocally while affirming Israel's right to exist, though it is not beyond criticism.1 2 3
Barron highlighted this nuance, rejecting Boller's portrayal as anti-Catholic prejudice.1 2 3
The commission includes prominent Catholics like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Ryan Anderson, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, and Bishop Kevin Rhoades.1 2 3
It recently met on March 16 to address religious freedom in health care, with Barron warning of pressures pushing Catholics out of the field.1 2 3
Investigate Catholic doctrine on political advocacy in public commissions
Catholic teaching strongly affirms the right and duty of the faithful, particularly the laity, to engage actively in public life, including through political advocacy in governmental bodies such as public commissions. This participation serves the common good, upholds human dignity, and applies Gospel principles to social and political structures, while respecting the autonomy of the political sphere from direct ecclesiastical intervention.
Human dignity inherently includes the right to participate in governance, scaled to the political community's development stage. Pope John XXIII teaches:
A natural consequence of men's dignity is unquestionably their right to take an active part in government, though their degree of participation will necessarily depend on the stage of development reached by the political community of which they are members.
This extends to exhortations for Catholics to contribute to public institutions:
Here once more We exhort Our sons to take an active part in public life, and to work together for the benefit of the whole human race, as well as for their own political communities.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) echoes this, stating that political rights "can and should be granted according to the requirements of the common good" and are "meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation and the human community." Citizens must "contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom," fulfilling roles in the political community.
Vatican II's Gaudium et Spes (GS) reinforces that structures should enable "all citizens... freely and actively taking part in the establishment of the juridical foundations of the political community and in the direction of public affairs," including elections and public service. All have the "right and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good," with the Church praising those who devote themselves to state service.
Public commissions—advisory or oversight bodies—align with this as arenas for "citizens' responsible cooperation" in political life, requiring legal frameworks for rights protection and division of authority.
Clergy do not directly organize political life; this is the laity's vocation. The CCC clarifies:
It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the vocation of the lay faithful, acting on their own initiative with their fellow citizens.
Lay Catholics must "animate temporal realities with Christian commitment," ensuring actions conform to the Gospel and serve the common good. The USCCB's Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship urges lay involvement amid political challenges:
Forming their consciences in accord with Catholic teaching, Catholic lay women and men can become actively involved: running for office; working within political parties; communicating their concerns and positions to elected officials; and joining... community organizations, and other efforts to apply authentic moral teaching in the public square.
Pope Pius XII affirms Catholics' right and duty to join organizations reforming social and political life per Gospel principles. Earlier, Pius X lifted restrictions on Italian Catholics' legislative participation, calling for preparation in political life to promote welfare and Church interests.
In public commissions, advocacy means promoting justice, defending rights, and countering abuses, always as citizens guided by conscience, not as Church representatives.
Political engagement must prioritize the common good—the conditions enabling human flourishing. Authority derives from God's order, exercised morally for this end. Advocacy defends rights like free association, expression, and religion, fostering participation without discrimination.
The Compendium of the Social Doctrine stresses "autonomy" of politics from religion, yet rejects moral independence: Catholics must promote truths on justice, freedom, and life using legitimate means. GS condemns systems hampering freedoms or serving factions, urging justice, service, and formation in politics.
Media interference in politicians' privacy is critiqued, balancing common good and rights. Historical acts like Christian care for all were "political acts" advancing the common good.
Catholics distinguish personal political actions from Church activities; the Church is autonomous, fostering cooperation without identification with systems. Obey legitimate authority, but defend rights against abuse within natural law and Gospel limits. Parties must not prioritize self-interest; citizens avoid excessive state power demands.
Rulers promote intermediate groups; citizens render required service. In advocacy, recognize diverse opinions, respect minorities, and cultivate patriotism open to the human family.
Early 20th-century Italy saw non-participation norms lifted for souls' good. Vatican II addressed modern changes enhancing dignity and participation desires. Today, USCCB notes lay duty amid disenfranchisement feelings, calling for engagement. Doctrine evolves consistently, prioritizing higher magisterial texts like CCC and GS.
No direct sources address "public commissions" explicitly, but they encompass broader citizen duties in political communities, per available documents.
Catholic doctrine mandates lay political advocacy, including in public commissions, as a duty rooted in dignity and charity. Guided by conscience, faith, and the common good, Catholics promote justice without clerical overreach or moral compromise. This fosters human flourishing under God's order.