Ethan Walker
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, has been criticised by some conservative Catholics for his stance on abortion and same-sex marriage. Cuomo, who is a Catholic himself, has been accused of sacrificing his Catholic faith for political power. He has been unmoved by the criticism, stating that he does not legislate religion and that his oath of office is to the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York, not to the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 6 December 1957 |
| Parents | Mario Cuomo and Matilda Cuomo |
| Education | Archbishop Molloy High School, Fordham University, Albany Law School |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Career | Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York Attorney General |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Kerry Kennedy |
| Scandals | Sexual harassment allegations, abortion rights, same-sex marriage, pandemic restrictions on churches |
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What You'll Learn
Andrew Cuomo's views on abortion
Andrew Cuomo, a self-proclaimed Catholic, has been involved in several controversies related to his views on abortion and same-sex marriage, which contradict traditional Catholic teachings.
Cuomo has been a vocal supporter of abortion rights and has faced significant backlash from conservative groups and religious leaders for his stance. In January 2019, he signed the 2019 version of the Reproductive Health Act, which sparked intense criticism from conservatives, including Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Cuomo's decision to light up the One World Trade Center and other landmarks in pink to celebrate the bill's passage was particularly contentious.
Cuomo has justified his support for abortion rights by citing his belief in the separation of church and state. He has stated that while he has his own Catholic beliefs, he does not govern or legislate as a Catholic. Cuomo's position is that his "oath of office is to the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York, not to the Catholic Church." He has argued that most Americans, including Catholics, are pro-choice.
Cuomo's views on abortion and same-sex marriage have been described as being in direct conflict with Catholic doctrine. He has been accused of imposing his will on practicing Catholics and disregarding the Church's teachings. Despite facing calls for excommunication, Cuomo has maintained his stance, even signing a 2011 bill into law that redefined marriage despite opposition from the state's Catholic bishops.
Cuomo's legacy as governor of New York has been marred by scandals and allegations of sexual harassment, leading to his resignation in 2021. He has also faced legal challenges over his abortion law, with a lawsuit filed by the Women's Alliance Against Violence and other initiatives seeking to challenge the 2019 act and its impact on women's rights.
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Same-sex marriage and the Catholic Church
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo has been criticised by some conservative Catholics for his support of same-sex marriage. However, his stance on the issue is in line with the majority of Catholics in the United States, 52% of whom supported gay marriage in a 2012 poll.
The Catholic Church has consistently opposed same-sex marriage, intervening in political discourses to uphold marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In 2012, the Church spent nearly $2 million on campaigns against gay marriage in four states. However, the Church's position has softened somewhat in recent years. In 2015, bishops attending the Fourteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome agreed that homosexuals should not be discriminated against, although same-sex marriage was still deemed unacceptable. In 2023, Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples, although the Vatican emphasised that this should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.
Despite the Church's official stance, Catholic laity and organisations have become increasingly vocal in their support for same-sex marriage. DignityUSA and Fortunate Families are two organisations working for respect and justice for LGBTQ+ persons in the Catholic Church. Additionally, the actual experience of LGBTQ+ parishioners can vary across dioceses and parishes. While some Catholic communities strive to welcome LGBTQ+ members, others have denied membership to LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
The Catholic Church's position on same-sex marriage is part of a broader debate within the Church regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion. While there is no official policy regarding transgender individuals in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, doctrinal teachings equate birth anatomy with gender. The Vatican's Extraordinary Synod in 2014 debated issues related to LGBTQ+ inclusion but did not address questions about transgender members.
Overall, while the Catholic Church officially denies its blessing for same-sex marriage, there are signs of a softening attitude and increasing support for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church.
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Catholic leaders' criticism of Cuomo
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. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, a private Catholic university in 1979.
Cuomo has been criticised by Catholic leaders for his support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage, and for cohabiting with his partner without marrying her. These positions have "become 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".
In January 2019, Cuomo signed the 2019 version of the Reproductive Health Act, which sparked intense criticism from conservatives and Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Dolan wrote that Cuomo was using the Pope's comments out of context as "an applause line" and that the governor insults and caricatures the church. He also criticised Cuomo for trying to reduce the sexual abuse of minors ... to a 'Catholic problem.'. Following this, Catholic bishops in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Tyler, Texas, tweeted in support of excommunicating Cuomo from the Church.
Cuomo has also been criticised by Catholics for his stance on same-sex marriage. He has been accused of imposing his will on practising Catholics, Jews, and Muslims, and of using the powers of his office to buy off wavering Republican State Senators with promises of appointments.
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Cuomo's Catholic upbringing
Andrew Cuomo was born in 1957 in Queens, New York City, to a family of Italian descent. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School, a private Catholic school, and graduated in 1975. He then went on to study at Fordham University, a Jesuit university in the Bronx, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979.
Cuomo's upbringing was influenced by his father, Mario Cuomo, who was a devout Catholic and a three-time governor of New York. Mario Cuomo was known for his ability to articulate a justification for his support of legal abortion as a Catholic, arguing that "approval or rejection of legal restrictions on abortion should not be the exclusive litmus test of Catholic loyalty". He believed that his personal religious views should not be imposed on a pluralistic society.
Andrew Cuomo, like his father, has been labelled a "Catholic Anti-Catholic" due to his positions on abortion rights and same-sex marriage, which go against traditional Catholic teachings. Cuomo has stated that he wants to represent and fight for all the people of New York, and that his decisions are not based on religious beliefs. He has been criticised by Catholic leaders and some have even suggested that he should be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
Despite the criticism, Cuomo has maintained his stance that his political decisions are separate from his personal religious beliefs. He has emphasised that his "oath of office is to the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York, not to the Catholic Church". Cuomo represents a new generation of liberal Catholic politicians who view their Catholicism as a mere identity, often emphasising whichever political identity is most convenient.
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Cuomo's attendance at Catholic school
Andrew Cuomo's attendance at Catholic school began at Archbishop Molloy High School, a private, college prep Catholic school in Briarwood, Queens, New York City. He graduated in 1975.
Cuomo is the son of Mario Cuomo, a former three-time governor of New York. Mario Cuomo was also a lawyer, and his son followed in his footsteps, graduating from Fordham University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also graduated from Albany Law School in 1982 with a Juris Doctor degree.
Cuomo's time at Catholic school laid the foundation for his future career in law and politics. During his father's successful 1982 campaign for governor, Cuomo served as campaign manager, marking the beginning of his political involvement.
Cuomo's Catholic upbringing and education have been a topic of interest throughout his political career, particularly in light of his positions on certain social issues. Cuomo has been dubbed the ""Catholic Anti-Catholic"" by some due to his stance on abortion rights and same-sex marriage, which clash with traditional Catholic teachings.
Despite criticism from some conservative Catholics, Cuomo has maintained his support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage, citing his oath of office to the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York rather than to the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Andrew Cuomo is a Catholic, but he does not practice his faith. He has been criticised by Catholic leaders for his views on abortion and same-sex marriage.
Andrew Cuomo is pro-choice and has been a vocal supporter of abortion rights. He has signed into law a bill that expands abortion rights in New York, leading some Catholic leaders to suggest that he should be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
Andrew Cuomo supports same-sex marriage and has argued that "marriage equality" is a question of principle. He has also said that the state should not discriminate against same-sex couples who wish to get married.
Yes, Andrew Cuomo married Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, in 1990. They divorced in 2005.
Yes, Andrew Cuomo served as the 56th governor of New York from 2011 until his resignation in 2021 due to sexual harassment allegations. He was a member of the Democratic Party and was elected three times (in 2010, 2014, and 2018).
