Sarah Mitchell
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, has been at the centre of debates surrounding his Catholic identity and his political decisions. Cuomo was born to a Catholic family and attended a Catholic school. Despite his Catholic upbringing, Cuomo's political stances on abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and divorce have been criticised by conservative Catholics. Cuomo's positions have been described as being at odds with Catholic teachings, leading to discussions about the role of religion in politics and the relationship between Catholic voters and politicians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious identity | Catholic |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Religious denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Religious upbringing | Catholic |
| Religious school | Yes |
| Religious attendance | Irregular |
| Religious beliefs | Supports same-sex marriage, abortion rights, and opposes the death penalty |
| Political identity | Democrat |
| Political beliefs | Supports liberal policies |
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What You'll Learn
Andrew Cuomo's Catholic upbringing
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, was born into a Catholic family in Queens, New York City, in 1957. His parents, Mario and Matilda Cuomo, were both of Italian descent. Mario Cuomo was a lawyer and later the governor of New York, and Matilda was a teacher. Andrew Cuomo was raised in a household where priests and bishops were guests at dinner, and he attended Catholic schools, including Archbishop Molloy High School and Fordham University.
Cuomo has described himself as a practising Roman Catholic, although he avoids calling himself devout. He attends Mass but not every Sunday, and he has taken positions on certain issues that conflict with Catholic teachings, such as his support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Cuomo's stances on these issues have sparked intense criticism from conservative Catholics and church leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Cuomo's father, Mario, also took a public position in favour of abortion rights, arguing that he was "personally opposed, publicly pro-choice". However, commentators have noted that Andrew Cuomo did not attempt to reconcile his Catholic faith with his political positions, instead focusing on what was politically convenient.
Cuomo's brand of Catholicism is seen as commonplace in New York, and his religious identity did not feature prominently in his campaigns for governor. However, once in office, his positions on abortion and same-sex marriage became a lightning rod in a culture war between conservative Catholics and those who disagreed with the church's teachings.
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Cuomo's views on abortion and same-sex marriage
Andrew Cuomo is a Catholic, but his views on abortion and same-sex marriage differ from the Church's stance.
Abortion
Cuomo's support for abortion rights has been a source of controversy within the Catholic community. He signed the 2019 version of the Reproductive Health Act, which reaffirmed abortion legalization in New York State for up to 24 weeks. This act sparked intense criticism from conservatives, including Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Cuomo's actions and positions on abortion have been characterized as part of a culture war between conservative Catholics and those who disagree with the Church's stance on abortion and divorce.
Cuomo's stance on abortion can be contrasted with that of his father, Mario Cuomo, who was also a Catholic politician. Mario Cuomo argued that while he personally agreed with the Church's view that abortion "is to be avoided," he would not seek to translate [his] Catholic morality into civil law." This position, known as ""personally opposed, publicly pro-choice," has been criticized as politically convenient rather than philosophically coherent.
Same-Sex Marriage
Cuomo has actively supported same-sex marriage legislation. In 2011, he signed the Marriage Equality Act into law, making New York the largest state at the time to legalize same-sex marriage. He also called for other states to follow suit and supported a boycott of Indiana and North Carolina due to their legislation on LGBT issues. Cuomo's efforts to advance gay rights have been praised, and he is considered a "champion" of same-sex marriage.
Despite his previous support for LGBTQ+ rights, Cuomo's recent mayoral campaign in New York City has been criticized for not actively courting LGBTQ+ votes. Instead, he has focused on appealing to moderate and centrist voters, emphasizing public safety and antisemitism as chief concerns.
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Catholic criticism of Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo, a three-times-elected governor of New York, has been criticised by Catholics for his stance on abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Cuomo, who is Catholic, has been described as being part of a generation that regards its Catholicism as a mere identity.
Cuomo's positions on these issues have been characterised as being in conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Church, and he has been accused of sacrificing his Catholic faith for political power. In 2019, Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act, which sparked intense criticism from conservatives and the Catholic cardinal Timothy Dolan. Cuomo's actions have been interpreted as a betrayal of Catholic values and a capitulation to Democratic party politics.
Cuomo's argument, like that of his father, Mario Cuomo, is that "religious values" should not "drive political decisions". They both argue that abortion is an issue of personal liberty and that their opposition to it is based on personal moral conviction rather than religious doctrine. However, critics argue that this draws an incoherent line between values and politics and that abortion is morally repugnant and a violation of natural law, which is acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence.
Cuomo's stance on abortion and same-sex marriage has made him a controversial figure among Catholics, with some accusing him of being a "power-hungry coward" who is grasping for political convenience rather than philosophical coherence.
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Cuomo's attendance at Mass
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, is a Catholic. He graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, a private, college prep Catholic school in Briarwood, in 1975. However, his attendance at Mass has been inconsistent, and he has been criticised by conservative Catholics for his positions on abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
Cuomo's defence of New York State's Reproductive Health Act and his support for abortion on demand have been controversial among Catholics. The Catholic cardinal Timothy Dolan criticised Cuomo over the Act, which passed in 2019. Despite this, Cuomo ordered One World Trade Center and other landmarks to be lit in pink to celebrate the bill's passage.
Cuomo's views on abortion and same-sex marriage have been characterised as being in conflict with Catholic teachings. His positions have been described as "a lightning rod in a decades-old culture war between conservative Catholics and those, like Mr. Cuomo, who disagree with the church's positions on various issues, including abortion and divorce".
Cuomo's Catholic faith has been a topic of discussion, especially in light of his political positions. However, his attendance at Mass does not appear to be a significant factor in this discussion.
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Cuomo's Catholic identity and political career
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, has a complicated relationship with his Catholic identity. He was born into a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools, including Archbishop Molloy High School and Fordham University. Cuomo has stated that he considers himself a practising Roman Catholic, although he avoids calling himself devout and does not attend Mass every Sunday.
Cuomo's political career has been marked by a progressive agenda that often clashed with the teachings of the Catholic Church. He has been an outspoken supporter of abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and divorce, which has led to criticism from conservative Catholics and church leaders. Cuomo's stance on these issues has been characterised as a “lightning rod in a decades-old culture war” between conservative Catholics and those who disagree with the church's positions.
Cuomo's Catholic faith became a particular focus of scrutiny during his time as governor of New York. In 2019, he signed the Reproductive Health Act, which expanded abortion rights in the state. This move sparked intense criticism from conservatives and Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Cuomo's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic also drew ire from Catholics, as he closed churches and houses of worship during the lockdown.
Despite his Catholic background, Cuomo has been accused of dismissing Catholic beliefs and values during his political career. Some have argued that he sacrificed his Catholic faith for political power, prioritising his progressive agenda over the teachings of the Church. Cuomo's divorce and cohabitation with another woman after his civil divorce also conflict with Catholic doctrine.
However, Cuomo is not alone in representing a new generation of liberal or progressive Catholic politicians. Like his father, Mario Cuomo, a three-time governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo has argued that “religious values” should not “drive political decisions”. This position has been criticised by some Catholics but reflects a pragmatic approach to reconciling personal faith with public policy in a diverse society.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Andrew Cuomo is Catholic. He was raised in a Catholic household and attended Catholic schools.
Andrew Cuomo considers himself a practicing Roman Catholic, although he avoids calling himself devout. He goes to Mass, but not every Sunday.
Andrew Cuomo is pro-choice. He has argued that "religious values" should not "drive political decisions".
Andrew Cuomo's stance on abortion has been criticised by other Catholics. The Catholic cardinal Timothy Dolan criticised Cuomo over the Reproductive Health Act, which expanded abortion rights.
Yes, Andrew Cuomo has supported same-sex marriage, which goes against Catholic teaching.
