Roman Catholic Cardinal Wilton Gregory recently made critical comments about President Biden's adherence to the Catholic faith, labeling him a 'cafeteria Catholic.' Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., expressed concerns that Biden selectively highlights certain aspects of the faith while disregarding or contradicting others.
During an interview on CBS' 'Face the Nation,' Gregory acknowledged Biden's sincerity in his faith but pointed out that like many Catholics, Biden appears to cherry-pick elements of Catholicism. Gregory used the term 'cafeteria Catholic' to describe individuals who choose to emphasize certain beliefs while neglecting challenging or inconvenient teachings.
Specifically, Gregory highlighted Biden's stance on abortion as an area where the President diverges from traditional Catholic teachings. He urged Biden to be more explicit about his personal beliefs on 'life issues' rather than using them for political advantage.
The interview with Gregory came shortly after Biden faced criticism for marking Easter Sunday as 'Transgender Day of Visibility,' a move that drew backlash from various Christian communities. Biden's approach to religious holidays and his pro-choice views have led to tensions with the Catholic Church, with Pope Francis previously questioning the coherence of Biden's faith and abortion stance.
A Pew Research poll revealed that a significant majority of Americans are skeptical of Biden's portrayal of himself as a 'devout Catholic.' The poll indicated that only a small percentage of Americans view Biden as 'very religious,' while a larger portion considers him 'somewhat religious' or 'not religious.'
Former President Trump has also weighed in on the issue, criticizing Biden's position on abortion and suggesting that Catholics should reconsider supporting him. The intersection of Biden's faith and political decisions continues to be a topic of debate as the 2024 election approaches.
