Biden, the Pope and Catholic Tension

The new presidency has not only meant the elevation of a Catholic to the highest level of American democracy, but also to other high positions. But what does this unprecedented political status mean? Although the United States is a religious nation, the wall of separation between religion and politics is impenetrable.

The new cabinet members are not unknown, and they have experience in the administration. They are as follows: Deb Haaland in the Interior Department, Lloyd Austin in Defense, Marty Walsh in Labor, Xavier Becerra in Health, Tom Vilsack in Agriculture, Jennifer Granholm in Energy, Gina Raimondo in Commerce, Denis McDonough in Veterans Affairs, and John Kerry in Climate.

Herein lies the problem: Due to clashes over pressing issues, such as gender, Catholic Republicans (more than half in total) and some members of the clergy are extremely skeptical about the new administration.

In the past, Catholics would have picked a leader of the same faith with their eyes closed before picking a Protestant (and vice versa). Now, without thinking, they would prefer to see a Republican sitting in those chairs, caring little about whether they subscribe to the same religion. Religion, as such, has ceased to be their priority.

The new situation exposes a division between believers on the conservative side who prioritize crusading against gender politics (including abortion) and those of a progressive mindset who focus their attention on other values they consider crucial because of the global risk they pose to humanity, such as the environment.

Some Democrats reject more radical LGBTQ pride positions, but they find no reason to ban them. Others are not only unopposed to their agenda, but also promote it — even against the teachings of the church.

On the other hand, it must be recognized that their conservative opponents are more concerned with (what they understand to be) official doctrine. Thus, they minimize issues involving a person’s dignity that also have a moral dimension. The problem lies in defining the role of religion, and whether its moral standards can prevail in the very society that rejects its place in organized democracy.

Many documents in Vatican City claim that the church has the right to make moral judgement calls when fundamental rights are at stake (e.g., the right to life), and they warn believers that in those cases they cannot lend their support. Conservatives demand that the church hierarchy intervene on such occasions, but the clergy has long since decided that handing out excommunications isn’t the best path for converting souls.

The situation became more tense when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement welcoming Biden into office. Far from simply wishing him well, it touched upon some points of contention — perhaps a bit hastily— leaving wounds exposed.

Although the statement is extremely cautious and well-balanced, it came as a shock to the extent that some prominent figures in the church publicly expressed their disagreement, considering it to be untimely. The crux of the matter is that the pope shows a different attitude toward the new president, but not toward half of his American believers. If Biden insists on his pro-choice position — as is to be expected — what will Francisco do?

He has warned that sometimes proclamations of evangelical truth have become distorted by an outpouring of activists who focus on questions not always of the most importance in Christian life. But he also warned against internal disputes. Unity has prevailed over conflict, and this must not be ignored, but accepted.