My question/point, ineptly made as it was, is that if one self identifies as a Catholic, that reveals very little about what one believes about anything, when it comes to public policy issues that divide the American public square. Thus chatting about Catholics on the court, or Alito as a Catholic, is sort of a waste of time.
You are absolutely correct! But let me try to make this crystal clear for everyone. My point was not to say that we can analyze Alito's views on the basis of his Catholic faith, or that his Catholic faith is revealing of how he will rule as a judge.
My point was simply that those people who expressed hope that he would rule consistent with Catholic doctrine on abortion or church/state issues, merely as a reflection of his Catholic faith, should not then whine if he also rules consistent with Catholic doctrine on execution.
If you want a Catholic who judges on the basis of his Catholicism and not on the basis of the Constitution, as it should be, then it's a package deal!