Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson invited a group of Catholics to the Capitol on Tuesday to celebrate a traditional Latin Mass.
The mass coincides with the first anniversary of an FBI memo targeting “traditionalist” Catholic groups prone to extremism in the run-up to the 2024 election. report. (Related: FBI's 'radical and traditional Catholic' investigation was broader than director claims, new unredacted documents show)
Mr Johnson expressed anger over the memo. letter He said the FBI's testimony before Congress was not conducted with complete candor and that a “contempt lawsuit” against the FBI was being considered. Prior to Tuesday's Mass, Johnson told The Pillar that he was still not satisfied with the FBI's actions.
“This is a weaponization of the Department of Justice itself and the FBI, something that is extremely harmful and something that we have to stop,” the chairman told the media.
'Weaponized': House Speaker talks about FBI and 'traditionalist' Catholics https://t.co/BkIHZeAyHk
— Ilan Hulkower (@IHulkower) January 23, 2024
“Open source reports and FBI research point to increasing overlap between far-right white supremacist movements and RTC.” [radical traditionalist Catholic] …The ongoing convergence of the far-right white supremacist movement and the RTC was further demonstrated by the increased hostility toward abortion rights advocates on social media sites immediately before and after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Ta.Overturning Roe v. Wade,” FBI memo read To some extent.
The FBI memo will allow law enforcement to tap into “existing sources,” forge new connections, build relationships with community faith leaders, and detect signs of radicalization within their congregations. It recommended that surveillance of these communities be strengthened.
This memo caused an uproar when it was leaked to the public.Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop Barry C. Knestout, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares all condemned the memo in strong terms, according to the Arlington Catholic Herald. report.
“This should be troubling and offensive not only to all Americans, but also to all faith communities,” Bishop Burbidge said. The priest said he was shocked to learn that the memo listed a religious order that celebrates the traditional Latin Mass as extremist. As an extremist and a threat to society, it is… outrageous. ”
“I urge all of the people's representatives in the Virginia House and Senate to take their oversight role and publicly condemn this threat to religious freedom, and to condemn such crimes against the constitutionally protected free exercise of religion. I call on you to prevent this from happening again,” Bishop Knestow said.
Miyares similarly called the document “unacceptable, unconstitutional and un-American.”
