Washington DC Cardinal Criticizes President Biden’s Stance on Abortion as Selective

Washington DC Cardinal Criticizes President Biden’s Stance on Abortion as Selective

In a recent interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC, criticized President Biden’s stance on abortion, calling him a “cafeteria Catholic” who picks and chooses which aspects of the faith to believe in. While Biden identifies as a Catholic and claims to be personally opposed to abortion, he has consistently supported efforts to keep the procedure legal.

Cardinal Gregory, the country’s first black cardinal, expressed his belief that President Biden is highlighting certain dimensions of Catholicism while ignoring or contradicting others. He suggested that Biden’s choices are politically motivated and based on convenience rather than a genuine commitment to the faith. The cardinal used the term “cafeteria Catholic” to describe this selective approach to religious beliefs, comparing it to choosing only the parts of a buffet that are appealing while dismissing those that are challenging.

It is worth noting that Biden has largely deferred to Vice President Kamala Harris when it comes to advocating for abortion rights. Harris, a Baptist, has taken the lead on what has been dubbed the “Reproductive Freedoms Tour,” with First Lady Jill Biden also joining in some of these efforts. This delegation of responsibility to Harris and Jill Biden’s active involvement in advocating for abortion rights further underscores the criticism leveled at President Biden by Cardinal Gregory.

While Biden has publicly stated that he is not comfortable with abortion and does not support it on demand, he has maintained his belief that the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade was correct. This nuanced stance has drawn criticism from both sides of the abortion debate, with some progressive activists wanting him to be more aggressive in supporting abortion rights and others arguing that his personal opposition to abortion is at odds with his political positions.

Cardinal Gregory also hinted at a possible conversation between Pope Francis and President Biden regarding abortion. Given Pope Francis’ reputation for engaging with people, it would not be surprising if he had expressed his frustrations to the president on this issue. However, there is no confirmation of such a conversation taking place.

President Biden’s approach to abortion has faced criticism from within his own party as well. Other prominent Catholic Democrats, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have also been targeted for their positions on abortion. The issue of selective adherence to Catholic teachings is not unique to Biden but has been a point of contention for many politicians who identify as Catholic.

Despite criticism from Cardinal Gregory and others, President Biden has remained firm in his support for abortion rights while expressing his personal opposition to the procedure. His administration’s actions on the issue have yet to fully align with his rhetoric, leading to further scrutiny from both supporters and opponents of abortion rights.

In conclusion, President Biden’s stance on abortion has come under scrutiny from Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who accused him of being a selective Catholic. The president’s support for keeping abortion legal while personally opposing it has drawn criticism from various quarters. While some argue that Biden’s nuanced stance is a reflection of his faith, others see it as politically motivated. As the debate surrounding abortion continues, it remains to be seen how President Biden’s position will evolve and whether he will face further criticism from within his own party and the Catholic community.