...It might have been a good idea for Prothero to first outline what he means by the word “influential.” He views influence as meaning primarily political influence, with one entertainer and one prelate thrown in. What of all the Catholics in media, news, and the larger culture? Or better yet, what of all the Catholics who are quietly influencing the lives of those around them through lives of prayer and service?...
Stephen Prothero’s List of 12 Most Influential American Catholics
1-6. Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor
7. Speaker of the House John Boehner
8. Vice President Joe Biden
9. Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
10. Cardinal Timothy Dolan
11. Stephen Colbert
12. Andrew Sullivan
1-6. Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor
7. Speaker of the House John Boehner
8. Vice President Joe Biden
9. Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
10. Cardinal Timothy Dolan
11. Stephen Colbert
12. Andrew Sullivan
...As Christians, we believe in a supernatural world, a world we cannot see. I would argue that the most “influential” American Catholics are those who are people engaged in that world, not just this one. They are people of prayer, people of sanctity, people of self-sacrificial service. They are people who take up their Cross daily and are willing to die to self. That’s what it means to be Catholic. Being Catholic doesn’t mean getting the most notice by the news media. Anyone with enough money to hire a public relations firm can get noticed....
