Bishops Statement on the Inauguration of President Biden

Bishops Statement on the Inauguration of President Biden January 20, 2021

Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose Gomez, issued a statement today on the inauguration of President Joseph Biden.  I quote below the “pertinent” paragraphs.  Of the whole statement, these words are the ones most Catholics will be interested in reading.  Gomez speaks clearly with the mind of the Church.  He welcomes the new president, yet speaks resolutely on the issues where absolute disagreement exists: abortion, contraception, marriage and gender.

“I look forward to working with President Biden and his administration, and the new Congress. As with every administration, there will be areas where we agree and work closely together and areas where we will have principled disagreement and strong opposition.

At the same time, as pastors, the nation’s bishops are given the duty of proclaiming the Gospel in all its truth and power, in season and out of season, even when that teaching is inconvenient or when the Gospel’s truths run contrary to the directions of the wider society and culture. So, I must point out that our new President has pledged to pursue certain policies that would advance moral evils and threaten human life and dignity, most seriously in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage, and gender. Of deep concern is the liberty of the Church and the freedom of believers to live according to their consciences.

Our commitments on issues of human sexuality and the family, as with our commitments in every other area — such as abolishing the death penalty or seeking a health care system and economy that truly serves the human person — are guided by Christ’s great commandment to love and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable.

For the nation’s bishops, the continued injustice of abortion remains the “preeminent priority.” 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.

Abortion is a direct attack on life that also wounds the woman and undermines the family. It is not only a private matter, it raises troubling and fundamental questions of fraternity, solidarity, and inclusion in the human community. It is also a matter of social justice. We cannot ignore the reality that abortion rates are much higher among the poor and minorities, and that the procedure is regularly used to eliminate children who would be born with disabilities.

Rather than impose further expansions of abortion and contraception, as he has promised, I am hopeful that the new President and his 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. My hope, too, is that we can work together to finally put in place a coherent family policy in this country, one that acknowledges the crucial importance of strong marriages and parenting to the well-being of children and the stability of communities. If the President, with full respect for the Church’s religious freedom, were to engage in this conversation, it would go a long way toward restoring the civil balance and healing our country’s needs.”

DEVELOPMENT: Cardinal Cupich criticizes statement

I just read an article stating that Cardinal Cupich of Chicago is very upset about the statement issued by the USCCB.  He found it critical of President Biden.  I do not find it critical of Biden, but critical of the policies Biden espouses.  I cannot begin to understand what Cardinal Cupich would oppose in the statement.  I found it clear, welcoming, and direct.

Read the whole statement here


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