Pope Francis sends greeting to President Biden, contrasting with sharper message from head of U.S. bishops | America Magazine

Pope Francis has sent warm greetings to President Joseph Biden as the first Catholic President in 60 years took the reins.  But the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has cast its lot with the Republican Party by its declaration that abortion is the preeminent issue.  New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan opened the Republican Presidential convention.  Despite the fact that Biden is an observant Catholic who began his day at Mass, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez issued a sharp statement which emphasized "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."

We can expect to hear a lot of criticism if Biden moves forward on his decision to support repeal of the Hyde Amendment which bars Medicaid funds for abortion.  Despite the U.S. hierarchy's support for immigration reform we can expect them to be more passionate about abortion and culture war issues as the bishops reflect the fact that they were appointed by Francis's two conservative predecessors Benedict and John Paul.

Pope Francis, like the editors of America Magazine, is a Jesuit.  They are characteristically nuanced in the assessment of the relative gradations of policy and behaviour.  - GWC

Pope Francis sends greeting to President Biden, contrasting with sharper message from head of U.S. bishops | America Magazine

***In a message of “cordial good wishes” to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. after his installation as the 46th president of the United States, Pope Francis assured him of his prayers “that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office.”

He told the president that he prayed that “under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding.” 

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Pope Francis’ warm message contrasted with the public statement that had been prepared by Archbishop José Gomez in the name of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. While the bishops’ statement included much the pope would agree with, it nevertheless adopted a confrontational tone over the issue of abortion especially, as well as contraception, marriage and gender. The Vatican only learned of the U.S.C.C.B. message hours before it was due to be released, and a senior Vatican official told America that “it was reasonable to say” that it had intervened but did not confirm or deny the details first reported by The Pillar.