Bishop Barron states that Ocasio-Cortez has sidelined culture.

Controversy Surrounding Rubio’s Munich Speech

The leader of Minnesota’s Roman Catholic diocese commented on Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s reaction to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent address at the Munich Security Conference. He suggested that Ocasio-Cortez had “set culture aside” in her critique.

During his speech, Rubio emphasized the idea of Western civilization and the shared cultural foundation between Europe and America. He stated, “We are part of a civilization, Western civilization… forged through centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our ancestors made together.” This notion received positive feedback from those in attendance.

Rubio also expressed his hope that allies would take pride in their cultural heritage while simultaneously addressing concerns regarding illegal immigration and issues related to climate change.

In response to Rubio’s remarks, Ocasio-Cortez passionately criticized what she saw as an appeal to outdated “Western culture,” arguing its foundations are “thin” and that culture is inherently fluid. She elaborated, stating, “Culture always changes. Throughout history, it has evolved based on our living conditions.” Her perspective suggested that focusing solely on cultural identity could overlook more pressing material and class-based concerns.

Bishop Robert Barron, the head of the Diocese of Winona Rochester, weighed in on the debate during an appearance on “The Will Cain Show.” He argued that Ocasio-Cortez’s views echoed Marxist ideology, noting, “When she downplays Western civilization as a shallow idea, she’s prioritizing material conditions over cultural frameworks.” He criticized this shift, stating that it’s reminiscent of Marx’s view of culture as a product of economic structures.

Barron further expressed concern over the growing disconnect between cultural and religious orientations in contemporary movements. He observed, “Many current social reform efforts seem to question religion rather than embrace its role in social justice.” He feared this trend could derive, at least indirectly, from Marxist influences in educational institutions.

Despite acknowledging that all civilizations have their shortcomings, Barron argued against dismissing the contributions of Western civilization. He stated, “We should celebrate the positive tenets from figures like Aristotle, Aquinas, Jefferson, and King.” For him, these principles that define Western civilization are worthy of recognition rather than disdain.