There has been a rift between US President Joe Biden and the country’s conservative Bishops over his stance on abortion. However, a draft statement by the bishops appears to steer clear of making any attacks on Biden and other lawmakers who have supported abortion.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the draft statement by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops made no mention of Biden or abortion. This indicates a backtrack by the Bishops following the backlash received for threatening to deny communion to Biden and other politicians who are pro-choice.
This backtracking also follows Biden’s meeting with Pope Francis in Rome ahead of attending the G20 Summit. The meeting reportedly ended with the Pope telling Biden to continue receiving communion and that he was a good Catholic. The Vatican has also previously warned the bishops against taking action to deny communion to those who are pro-choice.
“A draft published Tuesday by the Catholic newsletter the Pillar showed a 26-page document that focuses on emphasizing the theological power of Communion as a necessary, unique, and literal connection with God,” according to the Post’s Michelle Boorstein. “It does not, however, mention Biden, abortion, or politicians who are balancing roles of constitutional officers and Catholics. Nor does it go further in defining the question of who is worthy, a decision that canon law has left in the hands of people’s local priests and bishops.”
Biden is the second Catholic US President to be elected after John F. Kennedy. The report also revealed that the organization declined to comment on the draft statement, specifically on whether it was a current draft.
The US leader also commented on the recent gubernatorial elections in Virginia, noting that the Democratic Party needs to deliver to the American public. However, Biden dismissed the notion that the setbacks in the recent races were a reflection of his presidency. The US leader also said that the infrastructure bills should have passed before the elections but added that it might not have made a difference.
“I think we should have passed it before Election Day,” said Biden. “But I’m not sure that I would have been able to change” the minds of voters in Republican-leaning areas of the state.