The Catholic League has asked the U.S. Senate not to confirm James Hormel as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. The league’s objections to President Clinton’s nominee stem from Hormel’s role in the 1996 San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade.
Providing commentary on the parade on KOFY-TV, 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 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.
The league believes that any one who sanctions religious bigotry has no legitimate role to play in representing the U.S. Hormel had an opportunity to object to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence right on the air, but he did not do so. Worse, he refused to condemn Catholic bashing when asked to do so by Senator Hutchinson.
Considering the fact that Luxembourg is 97 percent Catholic, it makes no more sense to elevate Hormel to this post than it would to send Louis Farrakhan to Israel or David Duke to Kenya. Because of other problems in the White House, a vote on the Hormel nomination has been put on hold.
