A sobering statistic indeed.
Does this mean that 10% of our elected representatives are working for the Vatican? No. However, it does suggest that 10% of our elected representatives perform their political work with a mindset uniquely influenced by Jesuit ideology and remain more open to Vatican influence than other members of Congress.
This post comes from National Jesuit News.
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Graduates of Jesuit Institutions Well Represented in the 112th U.S. Congress
8 January 2011Ten percent of the 112th U.S. Congress are Jesuit college and university alumni/ae. Among the 535 Members of this Congress, 53 of them are alumni/ae of Jesuit institutions. At least 30 alums also serve in appointed positions in the Obama Administration.
“With the many challenges facing our nation, we are happy that our Jesuit college and university alumni/ae continue to play important roles in Congress and the Administration,” said AJCU President Fr. Charles Currie, S.J. “Their commitment to lead and to serve is in the best Jesuit tradition.”
There are 12 Jesuit alumni/ae in the Senate and 41 in the House of Representatives. Among the top leadership, Congressmen John Boehner (R-OH) is the first Jesuit alumnus to serve as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) serves as the House Minority Whip. In the Senate, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) continues as the Assistant Majority Leader.
Of these 53 alumni/ae, 35 received graduate or professional degrees from Jesuit universities. There are 18 Jesuit institutions represented by alumni/ae in the U.S. Congress. Georgetown University has the most alumni/ae with a total of 18; followed by Boston College with seven; the College of the Holy Cross with four; while Creighton University, Fordham University, Marquette University, and the University of Detroit Mercy each have three.
For a full listing of Jesuit alumni/ae, click here.
