Catholics and the president

Regarding Ms. Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court, there is confusion about the support of the Catholic Church for President Trump. Some people have the mistaken notion that the church has greatly supported this administration because of its stated position against abortion and for religious freedom. In this area the church has sent him letters of commendation.

However, there are many other areas in which the U.S. bishops have sent letters urgently requesting that he change his position, which the bishops considered to be anti-life. For instance, on the issues of immigration, the environment, capital punishment, racism, poverty, foreign policy, food security, housing, etc., the bishops, as a national conference, sent pleas to the president to change his view and policy to one of compassion for the poor and vulnerable, to care for creation and to a just peace.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, the bishops sent as many letters of reprimand on social justice issues to the president as letters of praise for his anti-abortion stance. Catholic social teaching is as large a part of Catholic teaching as is its opposition to abortion. When the president praises Ms. Barrett’s religion, he is only praising the part with which he agrees. And although the media more often portrays the bishops aligning with Trump’s anti-abortion policy, what is too often not reported are their serious differences with him.

Jean Walters

Spokane