Some years ago I published a piece at Catholic Thing about the conversion of Robert Bork to the Catholic Church. I recall on that day, which I was honored to attend, Father C. J. McCloskey said Bork had run almost the entire gamut of sacraments; baptism, first confession, first communion, confirmation, and had his marriage sacramentalized.
Five years ago, Robert Bork was baptized into the Catholic faith. Accompanied by his saintly wife Mary Ellen, in a chapel bursting with friends, Bork nearly ran the table of sacraments. He got five that day: baptism, confirmation, first confession, first Communion, and his marriage was regularized according to the Church. All that was missing were last rites and priestly ordination.
At the time of his Senate hearings, according to Bork himself, he was an atheist. And here is what I wonder. Would Bork have journeyed to Rome had he served on the Supreme Court? While Mary Ellen’s example and influence would have remained present either way, other influences certainly would have been brought to bear, namely, power, and our tendency to attach ourselves to it. The rich young man went away because he was too attached to his things. How much more alluring is power? How heady is it to be in the very thick of the most important questions of our time; questions that affect hundreds of millions of lives and that reverberate through time even unto a kind of immortality? Wouldn’t the danger of hubris and the Olympian nature of the Supreme Court make such interior considerations difficult, if not even impossible?
There is another puzzling question. With Bork on the court, Roe might have been overturned in 1992. But on the court Bork might not have found God and the Church. I don’t even know how to think about that except in light of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to find the single lost one. The Church teaches that a single soul is worth more than the whole universe. Figure that one out, Christopher Hitchens.
A more pleasant thought: Is it possible that Robert Bork lost the whole world—the court and all that meant—but gained his soul?
Rest in peace, Judge Bork.
December 19th, 2012 | 12:46 pm
amen
December 19th, 2012 | 1:01 pm
Why did he go to confession immediately after being baptized? This is not part of the sacraments of initiation.
December 19th, 2012 | 2:15 pm
It was before baptism, as it was with me when I converted. If that’s not a part of it then we can rest assured that even Opus Dei gets things wrong from time to time!
December 19th, 2012 | 2:35 pm
I am confused. If by “confession” is meant the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then baptism is a precondition for that sacrament and all others. An unbaptized person cannot receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A newly baptized person has no need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, although as I understand it, one does not have to “need” to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to benefit from it. On the other hand, one who confessed at every available opportunity (say, several times a week) would no doubt be discouraged from doing so.
I can see going to confession the same day one is baptized and received into the Church as not unreasonable in terms of practice of the ritual—kind of a trial run for when the person actually makes his first “real” confession.
December 19th, 2012 | 3:41 pm
Although not a catholic I applaud that judge Bork found Christ (or perhaps Christ found him) and was rec’d into the church. I would love to know his story about his conversion from death to life. I think it also a plus for the church when men and women of intellect (Please…I am not discounting anyone not so blessed with great thoughts and intellect >>>Myself would be a good example!) such as Bork, CS Lewis, Colsen
Chesterson and many many others. Christ is the light and it is wonderful when people can see it.
December 19th, 2012 | 5:25 pm
May God bless Robert Bork’s family as He welcomes Robert home.
Writing, such as this interesting vignette, is one of the reasons I am a First Things subscriber since Issue no. 1. Keep up the good work.
December 19th, 2012 | 7:03 pm
Happy to know of Bork’s conversion. There were some comments on baptism and confession.
In most cases there is no point in going to confession if one is about to be (or just was) baptized. Confession is normative for those who were already baptized. In some cases, when the state or validity of a prior baptism is unknown, a “conditional” baptism is administered… just in case. In these cases, one might also have confession.
December 19th, 2012 | 8:15 pm
What if Bork had been a SCJ up to now? Obama would be stacking the court even more.
December 20th, 2012 | 9:35 am
Your idea that Jesus went after Bork to save him is interesting, because Jesus also tried to save all of the women who willingly aborted their children. They did not listen to Him in their distress of circumstances. Jesus works through hearts and not government regulations. Bork’s heart was softened over the years no doubt from his wife’s prayers as well as his intellectual study of faith. Faithfulness to Jesus principles is grown by practice and prayers not by government intervention and enforcement.
December 20th, 2012 | 1:23 pm
Wonderful, poignant and utterly true column about Mr. Bork. Touching and very moving. Linked to it on my website endtimestavern. Hope many people read it.
Best regards
George Duncan
December 20th, 2012 | 2:24 pm
I agree. Either the priest who administered these sacraments was in error or the author screwed up. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not needed for intititation nor necessary since Baptism cleans all sins from the soul. Clarification is needed!
December 20th, 2012 | 5:55 pm
I thought that sacrament of “penance” was completed prior to receiving communion? At least that is what my children and grandchildren did?
Sequencing then is: baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, marriage, then “extreme-unction”.
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