James Hormel, nominated by President Clinton as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, has shown such a gross insensitivity to Roman Catholics that it should disqualify him from holding public office.
During the 1996 San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade, Hormel gave his tacit endorsement to the anti-Catholic group, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (the group has been mocking Catholicism since its founding in 1979). Hormel joined two broadcasters from KOFY-TV in welcoming the nun-dressed drag queens, laughing at their antics and showing general support for their agenda. Furthermore, when asked by Senator Tim Hutchinson to repudiate those who mock the Catholic Church, Hormel failed to do so.
William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, explained what the league is doing about this outrage:
“The Catholic League is writing to all members of the U.S. Senate asking them not to vote for James Hormel as Ambassador to Luxembourg. Any person who cannot find it within himself to quickly and decisively break with those who engage in religious bigotry has no legitimate role to play in representing the U.S.
“Had Hormel objected to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, he would have said so right on the air. At the very least, he would have told an inquiring Senator Hutchinson that he unequivocally condemns Catholic bashing. But he did neither.
“What makes this nomination even more disturbing is that Hormel is being considered as a U.S. ambassador to a nation that is 97 percent Catholic. That would be like sending Louis Farrakhan to Israel or David Duke to Kenya. Therefore, the Senate should deny Hormel this post.”
