The U.S. bishops’ conference held back a statement on incoming President Joe Biden Wednesday morning, after officials from the Vatican Secretariat of State intervened before the statement could be released.
The statement, from conference president Archbishop Jose Gomez, took uncompromising positions on abortion, gender, and religious liberty, warning that the Biden administration’s policy agenda would advance “moral evils” on several fronts.
[A]s 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,” Archbishop Jose Gomez wrote in a statement that was expected to be released at 9:00 am Jan. 20.
“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,” Gomez added.
The statement was not released Wednesday morning, and bishops were informed by USCCB officials that it remained under embargo, even after one media outlet reported it had been released.
Sources in the Vatican Secretariat of State, others close to the U.S. bishops’ conference, and sources among the U.S. bishops have confirmed to The Pillar that the statement was spiked after intervention from the Vatican Secretariat of State, hours before it was due to be released.
The statement had been debated hotly late into Tuesday evening, but multiple sources say it was the intervention of the Vatican that led to its delay.
Sources close to the USCCB say that several American bishops had raised concerns about the statement’s release, deeming it unduly critical of the incoming administration.
Three sources close to the bishops’ conference said that objections to the statement’s release came from Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, among other unnamed bishops….
The above comes from a Jan. 20 article in The Pillar.
UPDATE, 12:30pm:
—Shortly after Biden was sworn in as president, the Holy See released a communique from Pope Francis extending the pope’s “cordial good wishes and the assurance of [his] prayers” for the new president.
“I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice,” said the pope.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on Gomez statement:
“Archbishop Gomez’s timely call for healing as a country as the new administration assumes office is both very welcome and needed. I thank him for clarifying how Catholics approach the broad range of issues facing us that pose threats to human life and dignity.
In particular, I am grateful to him for stating clearly once again that opposing the injustice of abortion remains our “preeminent priority,” while acknowledging that “preeminent” does not mean “only.” Catholics must and do speak out on many issues affecting the equal dignity of us all, but if life at its most vulnerable beginnings is not protected, then none of us is safe.
Affirming this equal human dignity at every stage and in every condition is the path to healing and unity. I join Archbishop Gomez in praying for President Biden and for the future of this exceptional nation, that this vision may be realized in our time. May God bless America.”
The above comes from a Jan. 20 statement on the San Francisco archdiocesan website.
Puppets on a string?
Maybe we’ll see bishop against bishop in this country. Any cleric who supports or is silent in the face of grave public evil committed by a Catholic president betrays his pastoral obligation.
A big round of applause for Archbishops Gomez and Cordileone, for having the grit to speak the truth.
Is it true that a bipartisan bill introduced by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ted Cruz will rename the White House Traitor Joe’s?
I mean, talk about “White” House privilege!
I understand the Vice-President and Senator Warnock are pushing for the BIPOC House in order to appease the BLM organization.
What unites the issues the Pope declined to mention: they will become flags for persecution of orthodox Catholics and other believers. They already are across Europe and Canada. Recusancy, here we come.
Cardinal “Nighty-night, baby” Tobin (intended for his sister, he laughably claimed) has nothing to say about anything, in my opinion.
Archbishop Gomez’s statement was perfect. His timing was not—the statement came too late. Better late than never.
It’s natural to wonder if being the moderate archbishop of the largest U.S. diocese, yet passed over THREE times for cardinal, might have entered into the Archbishop’s calculus. Personally, I doubt it. The man is a model of humility. But perhaps the disappointment of the Los Angeles faithful was on his mind, if not his own status. That would be perfectly understandable and justified.
Another thing. What explains the action of the Vatican Secretariat of State in embargoing the statement? Does the Secretary think he understands the present, fraught condition of the U.S. faithful better than its own bishops? His gross financial and diplomatic [China] misjudgments put the lie to that claim.
Or was it the yammering against outright condemnation of abortion by the “usual gang of suspects” [Tobin, Cupich, McElroy] that sought to upset the applecart? The Holy Father would be better served if he widened his circle of advisors re American matters.
Fairly cordial and balanced statement with elements that should surprise no one, coming from a Catholic group. I think the dissenters are a little hypersensitive and maybe a little self conscious about some of the statements. No one is having a fit over this except some Catholic bishops.
Mark: Typical response of a non judgmental liberal
President Biden* has already started: he’s ordered that schools receiving federal funds must allow boys who are pretending to be girls to compete on girls’ sports teams with and against genuine girls, and schools must allow such confused boys to shower with girls and use the girls’ lavatory. What are you going to do about our “Catholic” President, God?
Kevin T.– I wonder what Catholics– just like us– being persecuted right now, in Communist China, Muslim Nigeria, Hindu India, Muslim Pakistan, Muslim Iran, and many other countries– feel about “being abandoned by God?” Where is God for them, being evilly tortured and killed, daily, worldwide? This world is so dark with sin! What did Christ Himself think, being unjustly persecuted, whipped, tortured, mocked, and wrongfully executed?? “Where is God, My Father?” But Christ rose from the dead, and He reigns to this very day. And God will have the final word. Christ didn’t promise us a “good life” here on earth– not even for His poor disciples. St. Paul, likewise, gave his life for Christ– and was finally beheaded. Christ only promised His faithful followers, Eternal Life, Divine Love, and Happiness, in Heaven with Him– after our earthly life is done, and if we have loved and served Him well. That’s all. We have to keep working for Him, and never give up! He knows and sees all things. There will always be horrific battles on earth, between Good and Evil– and we will always suffer much. But the Devil will never win.
Un-named sources again.
Ratzinger stuck California with some doozies.
Fred, to which “doozies” are you referring?
“Doozy – something outstanding or unique of its kind.”
And, did the Pope-emeritus “stick” us as Pope or before that?
Shame on Cardinal Cupich! He is a horrible traitor to Jesus Christ. Anyway– “Vatican II-style individual freedoms” for clergy and laity to “do as you please,” always has been a horrific mistake. No respect at all for Christ”s holy religion. All Catholic clergy and laity have a big responsibility to Christ– not to their own ridiculous “freedoms” to “do as you please.”
Why wasn’t this statement released before the election?
The bishops who still have Catholic faith and a conscience were either too afraid to speak then or in denial about what Biden would do.
I read that Cdl. Cupich was the “ring-leader,” the one who ran to the Vatican Secretariat of State, to stop Abp. Gomez’ USCCB statement from being sent to Biden. Shame on Cupich and his “gang!”
Shame on the Vatican and those CINO bishops who opposed this statement.
How can the church claim to be THE CHURCH when it’s leadership continues to turn its back on God and His Law???
Centuries ago, when Christ walked the earth, many Jews were looking for a political Savior, and rejected Him when He let them know, an earthly Jewish political leader was never meant to be, for the Jews, who had suffered political oppresion for centuries– and now were enduring much hardship, under the Roman occupation. But Christ was not meant to be their political Savior. Instead, He was born to redeem them of sin, and lead them to Heaven. The post-Conciliar Church has turned away from her duty to God, to form and lead souls in Christ, and fight sin. To combat sin and teach and instill Christian morality and virtue, is her big job! Seeking cheap, shallow worldly political power to achieve Chtist’s goals in social justice and morality, is too simple-minded. Instead, great big Church leaders must teach and preach Christian Faith and Morals, and stand as a strong Moral Authority in the world, as she used to, prior to the Council— while turning hearts and minds towards Christ. That is the only way. Devoid of Christ, seeking merely to change laws, and give oppressed peoples merely food, shelter, and basic life necessities, and rescuing preborn children sentenced to Death in their mothers’ wombs– is far too simple-minded, and falls far too short of solving the real problems. We need a Christ-centered, virtuous, truly good society, with a way of life and laws based on His teachings. America needs a full return to her original Judeo-Christian Biblical foundations. That is the only way we can solve our big problems– not by mere worldly political action, devoid of Christ. And the Church has a big responsibility, to tell Biden, Pelosi, Becerra, and other “fallen-away” Catholics– that they are excommunicated, “former Catholics”– and must repent of sin.