- of or relating to Jesuits or Jesuitism.
- (often lowercase) practicing casuistry or equivocation; using subtle or oversubtle reasoning; crafty; sly; intriguing. – dictionary.com
After many years of Jesuit education, I recognize dissembling jesuitical remarks when I hear them.
To wit: At a 2006 hearing to name Brett Kavanaugh to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Senator Chuck Schumer asked now Supreme Court Justice nominee a direct question: “Do you consider Roe v. Wade to be an abomination?”
Mr. Kavanaugh replied: “If confirmed to the D.C. Circuit, I would follow Roe v. Wade faithfully and fully. That would be binding precedent of the Court. It’s been decided by the Supreme Court.” Nary a trace of his own view surfaced.
He and the most recent appointee to the Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch, are graduates of the same Washington Jesuit high school, Georgetown Preparatory School. Expect more of the same in upcoming Senate hearings.