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Joe Biden’s Catholic Conundrum

Posted on Friday, July 16, 2021
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by AMAC Newsline
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57 Comments
Catholic

AMAC Exclusive by Seamus Brennan

As only the second president in American history to be elected as a Catholic, Joe Biden’s open embrace of abortion on-demand, gender ideology, and birth control mandates for Catholic nuns has proved puzzling for many Americans. But for U.S. Catholic Bishops, for American Catholics broadly, and for the Church’s witness in the world, Biden’s willing participation in what the Catholic Church considers to be grave moral evils presents a much deeper problem. The notion of a president who holds himself out as a Catholic and regularly receives the Eucharist—or Holy Communion—at Mass, yet departs from Church teaching has yielded a profound source of confusion about what exactly it means to be Catholic.

 To begin to address this issue, the Catholic Bishops of the United States held a three-day virtual meeting in June, during which Biden was mentioned by name or referenced several times. Bishops described the predicament of having a Catholic president who openly challenges Catholic teaching as an “unprecedented situation in the country.” One Bishop decried the situation of “a Catholic president that’s doing the most aggressive thing we’ve ever seen in terms of this attack on life when it’s most innocent.”

 At the conclusion of the meeting, the Bishops agreed to prepare a “teaching document” on “the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.” The Eucharist, as understood by the Church, is “the source and summit of the Christian life” and is believed by Catholics to consist of the physical Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For all of the Church’s history, reception of the Eucharist has signaled both communion with the Catholic Church and a full acceptance of the Church’s authority to teach on faith and morals.

 It is only natural that the American Bishops would focus on the meaning of the Eucharist in the context of Biden’s flouting of Church teaching. After all, for the Bishops to clarify how the Catholic Church understands the Eucharist will help to clarify how the Catholic Church understands itself. Some Catholics are calling for priests and Bishops to deny the Eucharist to Biden precisely because they believe Biden has set himself apart from the Church—clearly and undeniably. From this point of view, to continue to give Biden communion would be for the Church to forsake its own identity and mission in the world.

 Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, the head of the U.S. Bishops, put it this way: “As bishops, our desire is to deepen our people’s awareness of this great mystery of faith, and to awaken their amazement at this divine gift, in which we have communion with the living God. That is our pastoral purpose in writing this document.”

 Within an hour of the U.S. Bishops’ decision to draft a teaching document, 60 Catholic Democrat Members of Congress responded. “We solemnly urge you to not move forward and deny this most holy of all sacraments, the source and the summit of the whole work of the gospel over one issue,” the Members wrote.

Appealing to the “primacy of conscience” over the Church’s “moral leadership,” the 60 Catholic Democrats claim that abortion opponents fail “to reflect and encompass the depth and complexity of these issues.”

 Yet, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church unequivocally states: “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.”

 Despite the willingness of the 60 Catholic Democrats to challenge it, the authority of the Catholic Church and its two millennia of unalterable moral teaching—and now once again reaffirmed by the U.S. Bishops—are not susceptible to ebbs and flows of the social, cultural, and political spheres of American life. If the “primacy of conscience,” as the Democrats write, is to be upheld over the “moral leadership” of the Church itself, what good is any moral law? Indeed, if the dictates of the conscience rule above all else, why subscribe to any religious tradition or any set of moral precepts?

Following the release of the Democrats’ statement, one of its signatories, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), tweeted: “Next time I go to Church, I dare you to deny me Communion.” In response to a question about when human life begins, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) claimed that “over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition.” Likewise, Senator and former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine (D-VA), also a Catholic, indicated that he has “a traditional Catholic personal position” on abortion, but is “very strongly supportive that women should make these decisions and government shouldn’t intrude.” In response to the Bishops’ statement, Biden brushed it aside as “a private matter.”

 But the Catholic Church has never understood its Christian witness as “private,” nor has it ever sanctioned the idea that Catholics can hold contrasting sets of values in their so-called “private” and “public” lives. By embodying values and supporting policies that run directly contrary to the Church’s timeless moral teachings, Biden, the 60 signatories of Congressional Democrats, and other pro-abortion Catholics are sowing confusion among American Catholics and non-Catholics alike about Church teaching and what their faith represents. They are engaged in what the Church defines as scandal, and as such, are hindering the Church’s ability to carry out its ultimate duty, which is to save souls and bring people to eternal salvation.

 Though the relationship between Catholicism and American politics has long been complicated, Catholic politicians play an indispensable role in molding Americans’ views of Catholicism in public life. And by openly rebuking what his Church clearly teaches, President Biden is doing a tremendous disservice to his country, to his faith, and to the tens of millions of Catholics he claims to represent.

 

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Bernard J Pokorski
Bernard J Pokorski
2 years ago

I am a “Southern Baptist” and I was raised as a fCatholic, which included nine years of Catholic schooling, and my having been a Catholic Altar Boy” who helped the priests with conducting the Catholic Mass” and “ Benediction Worship services, all that I can say is that The Catholic Church should “Excommunicate” Joe Biden and his Cohorts who condone and support these heinous sins against God.

Elrita
Elrita
2 years ago

Abortion is a sin and anyone who approves of abortion openly as Biden does commits a grave sin.

Jorge
Jorge
2 years ago

Biden, Pelosi – those 60 “catholic” democrats, and pro-abortion “catholics”, are NOT Catholics. Just like many of them claim to be “American” yet deny the nation’s history, traditions, disdain the flag and what it stands for, and support Socialist and Marxist values instead; they are nothing more than traitors. The Church for decades has been infiltrated by evil-doers, such as the homosexual pedophiles, that obviously don’t follow the teachings of Christ, but are on a mission to take down the Church. Just like our own government and institutions are being taken over by evil communists, so has the Church. Kneel to Pray, and Stand up to Fight!

Lee
Lee
2 years ago

How could ANYONE claim to follow the Catholic beliefs and still support such anti Catholic issues?To take Holy Communion and support abortion, for example, is not only hypocritical but, blasphemous.Abortion being the most blatant of all issues as it is clearly brutaly murdering the most precious and innocent of all life.

Ed J
Ed J
2 years ago

Has Biden set himself apart from the Catholic Church and its teachings? Of course he has! As the saying goes, “This should be intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer!” His views and public posture on so many of these issues is diametrically in opposition to the teachings of the Church, and blatantly so. If the Bishops had any balls, they would summarily and unanimously deny him Holy Communion. And for many Catholics, excommunication would not be uncalled for.
 
What next from Biden? Will President Joe DeMentia be issuing an Executive Order soon that will require the Ten Commandments herein and forever after be referred to only as the Ten Suggestions?

Jeff Fellmeth
Jeff Fellmeth
2 years ago

Jesus did not judge the woman accused of adultery; however, he did tell her to “sin no more.”

J. Shenk
J. Shenk
2 years ago

I’m reminded of a bumper sticker I’d seen in the Washington D.C. metro area years ago—“Pro-abortion or Catholic? Choose one.”

Ester
Ester
2 years ago

These are the sign of times which JESUS is telling us in the Bible. Some of us will be put in prison, some of us will be killed, some of us will be persecuted because of our belief in JESUS and HIS teaching. Stand firm. We need to repent and pray always.

Mike B.
Mike B.
2 years ago

Whatever you believe . . . against, or for abortion, the Catholic Church has its problems. What makes me angry is when the Catholic Church gets political. They need to be taxed if you’re going to make a political statement , and side with a politician. The Catholic Church should be ashamed of themselves for the things they’ve done in the past, and what they’re doing now. I was raised a Catholic. Attended a Catholic grade school, and High school. Thank God nothing happened to me , or any of my classmates that I know of in that time we attended . Karma’s a bitch, and these politicians have to meet their maker sooner , or later . We all do .

Art
Art
2 years ago

Bishop Gomez and the other cowards didn’t confront the issue. They did produce a “paper” to clarify the issue of abortion. Take that Joey!

Elysummers
Elysummers
2 years ago

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), tweeted: “Next time I go to Church, I dare you to deny me Communion.”  Well I’ve actually seen it done. What would Lieu do if the Priest refused?

AmericanIcon
AmericanIcon
2 years ago

Not being a Catholic I view this impartially, but it seems to me that if he so blatantly violates the doctrines of the Catholic Church, he should be denied any ‘benefits’ or privileges of the Church.

Buttercup12
Buttercup12
2 years ago

Re abortion: Women should make this decision

Maryann
Maryann
2 years ago

Life begins at conception. Did Pelosi ever take Biology? She’s been saying this for years. Maybe she’s forgotten that all life is sacred even the unborn

Robert
Robert
2 years ago

This article is exactly following how church teaching and the science of embryology see when life starts.

JOHN
JOHN
2 years ago

President “Puss for Brains” and his Indian Princess “Spread Eagle” is actually worse if you can believe that?

Karen
Karen
2 years ago

Hey Joe…..Wouldn’t wanna be you when you meet your maker. You and Pelosi are the worst Catholics and you WILL suffer the consequences. Money and power are not the way to please God. I wish you nothing but bad luck.

VIETNAM VET 67-68
VIETNAM VET 67-68
2 years ago

I AM GOING TO GET A LOT OF FLACK FROM THIS BUT I DON’T CARE !! THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A CULT OF EVIL THAT PRODUCES PEDOPHILES AND THE CHURCH HAS JOINED THE LIKES OF HITLER TURNING OVER JEWS IN WWII AND HELPING THE MAFIA IN ITALY !! SO PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT !! THEY HAVE HIDDEN IN UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS NUNS HOLDING BABIES ALL DEAD, THIS HAPPENED IN ST. LOUIS TURN OF THE LAST CENTURY THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THEY WERE BUILDING THE GRAND AVE. ROAD WHEN IT COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE ROAD WORKING MACHINERY, WAS IN THE ST. LOUIS PAPERS FOR ONE DAY AND THEN DISAPPEARED !! SORRY, I LOVE GOD BUT THE RELIGIONS OUT THERE ARE NOT FOR ME !! WAS RAISED LUTHERAN BUT GAVE UP ON THEM BY THE TIME I WAS 14 YRS OLD. !! VIETNAM VET 67-68

MJC
MJC
2 years ago

He’s a lying jackass who has told so many lies he can’t see his own evil. Maybe Hell will wake him up. Pelosi too!

Jorge L Rios
Jorge L Rios
2 years ago

Comunists don’t beleive in God or any other Devine Being. They beleive THEY are the Devine Being and all people should look UP to them for guidance, and everyones faith should be focussed on them. That is why they outlaw churches in comunist contries and attending religious or prayer services is not allowed, the comunist leaders ARE all the people should have faith in and that is to be the ONLY religion.

CoNMTX
CoNMTX
2 years ago

Fear of who Biden is (or thinks he is) and fear of the billionaire globalists who can have people killed and churches burned.

CoNMTX
CoNMTX
2 years ago

I would not even call Biden or the other 60 “Catholics” in congress Christian much less Catholic. It is also my personal belief that at least 85% of the demo/globalist party is currently controlled by Satan and want nothing to do with Chritians. Biden, Harris, Pelosi and all too many others are evil, wicked, & Satanic. Their main goal is to destroy America and get us into the Global One-world Government as planned by the WEF. Their goal for completion is 2030. The only reason Loopy Joe and the others go to church is to be seen and make voters think they are even mildly religious. Harris is so wicked she makes Hillary look like Mother Theresa.

LauraC
LauraC
2 years ago

The Catholic Church is nothing if it doesn’t stand on its own moral principles. It’s even worse than nothing if it allows hypocrites like the Bidens and Pelosis to attend mass and accept communion. Why should any Catholic follow any moral teachings of the church if these immoral scoundrels are allowed to dictate what they will and will not follow of the church’s teachings? Catholics unite and tell your church to stop groveling and stand up. You’d think they’d have learned from their sins in WWII that courage is paramount in the face of feckless politicians.

Kenneth D.
Kenneth D.
2 years ago

The Bible clearly points out that in the last days there will be a great falling away from the universal Church by those who will only listen to what they want to hear through itching ears and will condemn anyone who uphold biblical truths in opposition. The world is a fallen entity and those who seek to reconcile the world’s beliefs and values with those of Judeo-Christian standards are on a futile and doomed quest. Biden has made his choice to pursue the riches and fame of the world through any means available, including the abandonment and desecration of his alleged faith. So be it….

J Brown
J Brown
2 years ago

I am praying for the Catholic leaders involved in this decision to remain strong and stand firm in the faith. Protecting the kids innocent babies who cannot protect themselves must come first.

Nick
Nick
2 years ago

The people who covered for child rapists for decades (and still do) are mad at a guy who wants people to have fair health care options.

JOHN
JOHN
2 years ago

Der Fuhrer, Puss for Brains is as much of a Catholic as O’Bummer was a Christian!

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