The U.S. Senate confirmed Wendy Vitter to a Louisiana federal court seat Thursday, approving a nominee who drew significant opposition from civil rights and abortion rights groups.

Vitter, currently general counsel to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, was confirmed 52-45, overcoming criticism of her past views on abortion and an answer she gave at a confirmation hearing last year on a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. Only one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, defected from party ranks and opposed Vitter’s nomination.