Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Barron push back on claims of anti-Catholic bias from former commissioner
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Bishop Robert E. Barron defended the Religious Liberty Commission against claims of anti-Catholic bias from former commissioner Carrie Prejean Boller. Prejean Boller was removed from the commission on February 11, 2026, following tense exchanges she initiated with Jewish American witnesses during a hearing on rising antisemitism. Bishop Barron stated that Prejean Boller's dismissal was due to her behavior and views expressed during the hearing, not because of her Catholic beliefs. Barron specifically noted that some of Prejean Boller's expressed views were not aligned with official Catholic teaching.
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron, members of the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, publicly defended the commission against accusations of anti-Catholic bias leveled by former commissioner Carrie Prejean Boller.1
Prejean Boller, a lay Catholic, was removed from the commission on February 11, 2026, following a contentious February 9 hearing on rising antisemitism.1
During the hearing, Prejean Boller engaged in tense exchanges with Jewish American witnesses, questioning whether "speaking out about what many Americans view as a genocide in Gaza" constitutes antisemitism.1
She also asserted that "Catholics do not embrace Zionism," without clarifying the term, and asked if this made all Catholics antisemites.1
Bishop Barron stated Prejean Boller was dismissed not for her Catholic beliefs but for her behavior: browbeating witnesses, aggressively pushing her views, and hijacking the meeting for political purposes.1
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission chair, confirmed the decision, emphasizing no member can pursue a personal or political agenda.1
In a March 20 X post, Bishop Barron called Prejean Boller's claims "absurd," noting her views deviated from Catholic teaching.1
Cardinal Dolan endorsed Barron's statement on March 24 via X, describing it as "characteristically clear."1
Barron outlined the Church's position: unequivocal condemnation of all antisemitism; Israel's right to exist; but the modern state does not fulfill biblical prophecies and is open to criticism.1
He noted that if Prejean Boller were removed for these views, he himself would not remain on the commission.1
Prejean Boller claimed on X that her removal stemmed from demands to deny Catholic teaching for political ideology, violating her religious freedom.1
She directly called out Barron and other Catholic members for not defending her.1
The Religious Liberty Commission's capstone hearing is set for April 13, 2026.1
Investigate Catholic Church’s stance on anti‑Catholic bias in public commissions
The Catholic Church firmly upholds religious liberty as a fundamental human right rooted in the dignity of the person, condemning any form of bias, discrimination, or coercion against Catholics—or any believers—in public life, including government commissions, professional