As Joe Biden assumed the United States presidency, two of the country’s leading bishops clashed on how to respond to the new administration of the first Catholic president since John F. Kennedy. Source: Crux.
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement that his prayers are with Mr Biden and his family. But also made clear the policies Mr Biden has pledged in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage and gender “would advance moral evils and threaten human life and dignity.”
“The continued injustice of abortion remains the ‘preeminent priority’,” Archbishop Gomez said. “Preeminent does not mean ‘only.’ We have deep concerns about many threats to human life and dignity in our society. But as Pope Francis teaches, we cannot stay silent when nearly a million unborn lives are being cast aside in our country year after year through abortion.
“I am hopeful that the new President and his new administration will work with the Church and others of good will. My hope is that we can begin a dialogue to address the complicated cultural and economic factors that are driving abortion and discouraging families.”
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago issued a prayer for the Biden Administration as well, where he called on the country’s leaders to work together “for the benefit of all its people.” Later, he spoke out against the statement from the USCCB president, calling it “an ill-considered statement on the day of President Biden’s inauguration”.
Many others in the American episcopacy reacted to the inauguration throughout the day – for the most part offering prayers to the new administration and outlining important areas for action.
FULL STORY
Chicago cardinal clashes with USCCB president over Biden welcome (By John Lavenburg, Crux)
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