In 2020 I wrote: Editorial He wrote an article for the National Catholic Reporter titled “Joe Biden’s Catholic Affair.” In it I quoted the words of Jesus. instructions To “love one another.”
During President Donald Trump’s first term, he intentionally violated this commandment by stirring up political debate and exacerbating hatred. For example, after white supremacists marched in Charlottesville; killed Counter-protester Heather Heyer, President Trump told reporters:Very nice people on both sides”
It was shocking to hear a modern president praise white supremacists. That declaration is Caused Joe Biden to seek the presidency Promise me reconstruction.”soul of the nation”
Jesus at the Last Supper instructed Disciples, “He who wants to be a leader among you must become your servant.” This is a scripture that President Biden takes seriously.
At a St. Patrick’s Day brunch for Catholic leaders that I attended at the White House, Mr. Biden said: Said: “We are all created equal in the image of God. [and] All human beings have the right to be treated with dignity. ”
Honoring that order, Biden quickly distributed critically needed supplies. vaccine To end the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the country’s infrastructure is being rebuilt taking into account the unemployment rate. less than 4 percent, longest stretch Since the Vietnam War.of inflation control law The cost of insulin for seniors has been dramatically reduced from hundreds of dollars a month to just a few dollars a month. $35. This law also included: $783 billion Investment to stop global warming. and, Temporary child care tax credit goes into effect in 2021 reduce child poverty almost half.
It is Biden’s call to public service and personal empathy that will help him put his faith into action as president.
But the Catholic case against Joe Biden is being drowned out by those with the loudest megaphones.
Bishop Robert Glass of Saginaw, Michigan; Recently called Biden “Stupid Catholics who don’t understand the Catholic faith.” Cardinal Wilton Gregory further criticized Biden, saying, “cafeteria catholic” prefers some Catholic teachings and ignores others.
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, pro-Trump senior adviser Catholics for Catholics, write We live in a time of good and evil, and people need to understand which side of the line they stand on.At the Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, the group called Donald Trump is “the only option for Catholics.”
For these Trump-supporting Catholics, the animating issue is abortion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops defines abortion asoutstanding priorityBut the world is complex, and so is the issue of abortion.
When there are multiple states, mainly in the south, abortion bans, medical issues, and personal crises arose.Amanda Zulawski in Texas I almost died twice When my water broke at 18 weeks. A 10-year-old girl from Ohio raped by a relative had to travel to Indiana to terminate her pregnancy.
In Florida, A six-week abortion ban comes into effect.As a result, more women are at risk of missing out on emergency life-saving medical care. and, low fall, The number of abortions increasedreversing 30 years of decline.
Bible To tell At His Second Coming, Jesus turned away from those who refused to feed the hungry, visit the sick, or comfort the imprisoned, saying, “To those whom you have overlooked or ignored, When you do one of these things, you do the same thing you did to me.”
There are many issues that conscientious Catholics should consider in 2024. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has published severalserious threat to life”: climate change, gun violence, racism, and health care inequalities.catholic organization Communication networkFounded in 1971 by a group of politically active nuns advocating for social justice, the organization describes these issues as follows:equally sacred”
A lot has changed since 2020. But two things haven’t changed: That’s the nature of the presidential candidates of the major parties.
Joe Biden will abide by the following catholic faith It was instilled in him in childhood.biden often remind the audience When his grandfather left home, he would often yell, “Joey, keep your faith,” but his grandmother would retort, “No, Joey, spread it.” As an adult, Biden did not turn away from the Catholic Church even after experiencing unspeakable tragedy. found comfort priests, laity, and even the pope.
Donald Trump is no different. Lies, deceit, bullying and name-calling are deeply embedded in his character.his promoting violenceEspecially on January 6, 2021. 5 police officers killed.
Today, President Trump said,blood festivalIf he loses again in 2024, if he returns to the presidency, he promises: forgiveness Most of the Capitol rioters he called “hostage”
George Washington I once said“The foundation of our national policy will be built on pure and unchanging principles of private morality.” But Donald Trump is no embodiment of such tangible virtues.
he was convicted Rape E. Jean Carrollteeth Under prosecution Charged with paying hush money to porn stars and Playboy models to influence 2016 election results and lineups criminal procedure His role on January 6th and his unauthorized retention of confidential documents.
For Joe Biden, 2024 is more than just a political battle.Commemorating the 3rd anniversary of President Biden’s attack on the U.S. Capitol Said: “We all know who Donald Trump is. The question we have to answer is: Who are we?”
Choosing Donald Trump or Joe Biden tells us a lot about who we are. And the question for Catholics is: “What kind of Catholics are we and what do we believe?”
John Kenneth White is a professor of political science at The Catholic University of America. His latest book is “Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism.” You can contact him at: johnkenethwhite.com.
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