Grace Thompson
Joe Biden is the second Catholic president in U.S. history, and his faith has been a topic of interest for many Americans. While Biden regularly attends Mass in Washington and incorporates his faith into his speeches and policies, his stance on abortion and reproductive rights has caused controversy among Catholics. Some conservative Catholics and bishops have argued that Biden should be denied Communion due to his views conflicting with Church teachings. However, liberal Catholics applaud Biden for his position, and some believe he should decide for himself whether to receive Communion. Overall, evaluations of Biden's presidency from a Catholic perspective consider the complexity of balancing religious values with political decisions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Second Catholic President in U.S. History | Yes |
| Catholic in Good Standing | Varied Opinions |
| Catholic Views on Abortion | Varied Opinions |
| Support for Reproductive Rights | Yes |
| Support for Same-Sex Marriage | Yes |
| Support for Pandemic Lockdowns | Yes |
| Support from Catholic Community | Varied Opinions |
| Regular Churchgoer | Yes |
| Religion Reflected in Policies | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Biden's views on abortion
Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States and the second Catholic president in US history, has had his stance on abortion change over the years, especially during his time in the Senate. In 1981, he supported a constitutional amendment that would enable states to overturn Roe v. Wade. In his 2007 book, Promises to Keep, he wrote that while he is "personally opposed to abortion," he didn't feel he had the "right to impose [his] view on the rest of society." In 2006, Biden called himself the "odd man out" of his party, as he did not support federal funding for abortion and voted for bans on the procedure later in pregnancy.
During a 2019 campaign stop in South Carolina, Biden spoke about how he squared his religious beliefs with his views on abortion, saying: "I'm prepared to accept for me, personally, the doctrine of my church [on when life begins]... but I'm not prepared to impose that on every other person." Biden wants to pass a federal law that protects a woman's right to have an abortion, which is something that more liberal states like New York have moved towards. Enshrining Roe v. Wade in this way would mean that even if the Supreme Court bucks the precedent, the right to abortion would still exist.
Biden has also said that he will release guidance to keep states from blocking Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, as well as reversing Trump's domestic gag rule. He has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood for his commitment to champion access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including access to abortion. Biden has also been instrumental in helping to ensure that sexual and reproductive healthcare is accessible across the country.
The public's view of Biden's religiousness varies along partisan lines. While most Democrats and Republicans know Biden is Catholic, they differ sharply on how religious he is and whether he talks about his faith too much, too little, or the right amount. This political divide extends to Biden's fellow Catholics, who are split along party lines over whether his views about abortion should disqualify him from receiving Communion.
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The impact of his faith on policy
Joe Biden's Catholic faith has been a defining force in his life, shaping him in both personal and public ways. Biden's Catholicism is deeply intertwined with his public persona and political ideology, with his interpretation of Catholic social teaching influencing his policy decisions.
Biden's faith has been a source of personal solace and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy in his life. The loss of his first wife, daughter, and later his son, Beau, were consoled by his faith. The rosary in his pocket, for instance, serves as a tool for prayer and a reminder of spiritual strength. Biden's Catholic upbringing also instilled in him values such as decency, honour, and treating others with dignity, which form the basis of his personal moral compass.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a key framework for understanding Biden's political philosophy. CST emphasizes a commitment to the common good and the vulnerable, with a belief in the dignity of the human person. This belief underpins Biden's focus on human rights and his emphasis on compassion and the common good. Biden's policies reflect these values, such as his longstanding commitment to the Gospel's priority for the poor.
However, Biden's Catholicism has also been a source of tension with Catholic leaders. While Biden has been commended for his commitment to the poor, some Catholic leaders have criticized his support for policies they see as advancing moral evils, particularly regarding abortion, contraception, marriage, and gender. These differences highlight the complexities that arise when personal beliefs intersect with public policy.
Biden's Catholicism stands in contrast to his Catholic predecessor, John F. Kennedy, who was more private about his faith. Biden has been vocal about his spiritual convictions, quoting hymns and scripture in major speeches and allowing his faith to guide his policy agenda. This combination of deep personal emotional resonance, public practice, and political philosophy rooted in Catholic social justice makes Biden's expression of religion distinct.
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How religious is Joe Biden?
Joe Biden is the second Catholic president in US history, after John F. Kennedy. According to a Pew Research Center survey, most US adults, including majorities within both major political parties, know that Biden is Catholic. However, there are differing views on how religious he is and whether he talks about his faith too much, too little, or the right amount.
Biden's Catholicism is woven into his speeches and policies. He regularly attends Mass in Washington and makes the sign of the cross at public events. He has also invoked his faith to explain his beliefs in the separation of church and state. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden had an extensive faith-outreach operation, although he did not enjoy the same level of support among Catholics as Kennedy did in 1960.
Biden's stance on abortion and reproductive rights, however, clashes with Catholic Church teachings. Some conservative Catholics and bishops say that he should be denied Communion because of his views. Liberal Catholics, on the other hand, applaud his position on abortion and believe he should be able to receive Communion.
While Biden's presidency may redefine what it means to be a "Catholic in good standing", it is worth noting that religion can shape a person's worldview and values without dictating every policy decision. Evaluating Biden's presidency from a Catholic perspective requires acknowledging the complex interplay between political possibilities and religious values.
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Joe Biden's views on same-sex marriage
Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history, has had a complex relationship with the Catholic Church. While he has been described as carrying a rosary in his pocket, pepper[ing] his speeches with religious references, and arranging his schedule to attend Mass, his views on abortion have led some Catholics to argue that he should be barred from receiving Communion.
Biden's stance on same-sex marriage has evolved over time, shifting from opposition to support. In 1996, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman and allowed states not to recognize same-sex marriages. In 2006, he defended this position, stating that "marriage is between a man and a woman and states must respect that." However, in 2012, Biden expressed his comfort with same-sex marriages, stating that homosexual couples are entitled to "the exact same rights" as heterosexual couples.
During the 2008 vice-presidential debate, Biden clarified that while he and Obama did not support transforming civil unions into marriages, they advocated for same-sex couples to have equal constitutional and legal rights, including visitation rights in hospitals, joint ownership of property, and life insurance policies.
In December 2022, Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex and interracial marriage and repealed the Defense of Marriage Act. This marked a significant shift in Biden's stance on the issue, reflecting the evolving public opinion on same-sex marriage.
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Joe Biden's views on reproductive rights
Joe Biden is the second Catholic president in U.S. history. However, there is a partisan divide over how religious Biden is and whether he talks about his faith too much, too little, or the right amount. This divide extends to Catholics, who are split along party lines over whether Biden's views on abortion should disqualify him from receiving Communion.
Biden has had an inconsistent record on abortion. In a 2006 video, then-senator Biden said he did not see abortion as "a choice and a right". He added that he thought abortion should be "rare and safe" and that the focus should be on "how to limit the number of abortions". Biden has also flip-flopped on his position regarding the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funding for abortions.
Despite this, Biden has been characterised as a stalwart defender of the abortion-rights movement. He has committed to protecting access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion. Biden has opposed abortion bans since the 1970s and has used his executive authority as president to fight back on attacks on reproductive freedom. He has also opposed Trump's gag rules that withhold federal funding for family planning for organisations that give abortion referrals.
Biden has been instrumental in expanding access to birth control and ensuring that sexual and reproductive healthcare is accessible across the country. He has also spoken out for LGBTQ+ rights and against systemic racism.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Joe Biden is a Catholic. He is only the second Catholic president in U.S. history.
Views on whether Joe Biden is a Catholic in good standing vary. Some conservative Catholics denounce him for his stance on abortion and same-sex marriage, believing that he should be denied the Eucharist. However, liberal Catholics applaud him for his progressive politics, and many voted for him.
Joe Biden has said, "I'm a practicing Catholic. I'm not big on abortion." He also said in his inaugural address, "Many centuries ago, St. Augustine, a saint of my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love."
Joe Biden's familiarity with Catholic social teaching has influenced his economic policy. For example, his concern to combat income inequality and promote a more just economy may be grounded in Catholic social teaching, which views economics through the lens of justice.
