President Joe Biden became just the second Catholic to take the oath of office on Wednesday, but the country’s chief bishop warns that his pro-choice policies will ‘promote moral evil and threaten human life and respect. ‘
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, who currently presides over the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States, issued a statement wishing Biden well.
But he also criticized the president for his stance on abortion.
‘I pray that God will give him wisdom and courage to lead this great country and that God will help him to meet the trials of those times, to heal the wounds caused by this pandemic, to to reduce our intensive political and cultural sectors, and to advance our intensive political and cultural sectors. people with a renewed commitment to the founding purposes of America, to be a nation under God that is committed to freedom and equality for all, ‘said Archbishop Gomez.
However, he continued, ‘I must point out that our new President has pledged to pursue specific policies that would promote moral evil and threaten human life and dignity, especially in the areas of prevention. -generation, contraception, marriage and sex.
President Joe Biden (left) came just as the second Catholic to take the oath on Wednesday, but Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez (right), who is currently president of Co- speaking of the Catholic Bishops of the United States, for his stand on abortion
‘The freedom of the Church and the freedom of believers to live according to conscience is a matter of great concern.’
The statement with strong words was missed by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, whom he described as a ‘bad idea’. ‘
‘In addition to the fact that there does not appear to be a precedent for doing so, the statement came, criticizing President Biden as a surprise to bishops, which he received just hours before his release. ‘
Cupich, who is considered a friend of Pope Francis, said the statement by Gomez was drafted without the support of the conference administration committee.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich (pictured in October 2018 in the Vatican) issued a rare public recall of Gomez, saying his statement was critical of Biden’s ‘misconception’
He said Gomez ‘avoided that collegiate consultation [the] a standard course for statements that represent and enjoy the affirmation of American bishops. ‘
Cupich said: ‘The fundamental failings within must be addressed, and I look forward to considering all efforts to that extent, so that we can, with encouragement from the -Give the Gospel, build the unity of the Church, and together undertake the work of healing our nation in this time of crisis. ‘
Last month, Charles J. Chaput, a retired Catholic archbishop, said Biden should not receive Holy Communion because of his stance on ‘evil’ birth control and same-sex relationships .
Chaput, 76, resigned as archbishop of Philadelphia last year.
He said that support for the president has created a ‘scandal’ for believers, and means’ he is not in full communion with the Catholic Church. ‘
Biden’s continued support for Roe v Wade, who first defended women’s right to abortion in the U.S. in 1973, as well as same-sex marriage, legalized in 2015, has divided Catholic leaders .
Writing in the conservative, religious magazine, First Things, Chaput: ‘The impact at this point is clear. Public figures who identify as “Catholic” scandalize believers when they receive communion by creating the impression that the moral laws of the Church are optional. ‘
He also said that bishops who administer Biden Communion ‘do not clearly teach the seriousness of the possibility of shortening evil (and its sanction for same-sex relationships), they will despising the brethren bishops and their people. ‘
Biden (seen left by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, at a church service in Washington, DC, Wednesday) is the second Catholic to become U.S. president.
The first Catholic to become president of the USA was John F. Kennedy (he can be seen left at his inaugural address at the US Capitol on January 20, 1961)
Washington Archbishop and soon-to-be Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who is now Biden’s local bishop after the president moved into the White House on Wednesday, said last month that he would not ‘refusal of communion’ and cited the issue of ‘upset’ refusal over Church teaching.
Chaput notes that Biden ‘has promoted many causes and issues that serve the general good. ‘
But he said that ‘much of what he has done and his words have also supported or controlled the path for serious moral evil in our public life that has led to the destruction of millions of innocent lives. ‘
Chaput, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, was the second Native American consecrated bishop in the United States and the first Native American archbishop.
He was the ninth Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving from 2011 to 2020 and before that Archbishop of Denver (1997–2011) and Bishop of Rapid City (1988–1997).
Unlike many of his predecessors as archbishop of Philadelphia, the Franciscan Capuchin was not made a cardinal.
Pope Francis told Biden on Wednesday that he prayed that God would direct his efforts to bring about reconciliation in the United States.
In a message sent shortly after the inauguration of the second Catholic president, Francis also said he hoped Biden would work towards a society marked by true justice, freedom and respect for the rights and dignity of all, especially the poor, vulnerable and those. without voice.
Last month, the retired Archbishop of Philadelphia Charles J. Chaput said Biden ‘s pro – choice stance on abortion was creating a’ scandal ‘in the Catholic faith. The photograph can be seen in 2011
‘Under your leadership, the American people may continue to draw strength from the high political, ethical, and religious values that have inspired the country since its inception,’ said Francis.
‘I also urge God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to direct your efforts to promote understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world. to promote the common good of the world, ‘he said.
Three days after the January 6 attack on U.S. Congress by supporters of former president Donald Trump, Francis said the violence had left ‘a surprise.’
In a message Wednesday to Biden, the pope said the urgency facing our human family calls for farsighted and united responses. ‘
The first Catholic to become president of the United States was John F. Kennedy in 1961.