Michael Brooks
Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, considers herself a devout Catholic. However, her views on abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception have drawn criticism from Catholic bishops and the church hierarchy. Pelosi's support for abortion rights and LGBT rights places her at odds with Catholic doctrine, leading to a ban on her receiving Holy Communion imposed by the Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone. Pelosi has appealed to the Vatican to overturn the ban, but experts believe the chance of a successful appeal is slim. Despite her differences with the Catholic Church, Pelosi cherishes her Catholic memories, including her first Communion and the baptisms of her grandchildren.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Schooling | Yes |
| Catholic Parents | Yes |
| Catholic Memories | First Communion and the baptisms of her grandchildren |
| Favorite Holiday | Easter |
| Supports LGBT Rights | Yes |
| Supports Equality Act | Yes |
| Supports Reform in Marijuana Laws | Yes |
| Supports Abortion Rights | Yes |
| Supports Contraception | Yes |
| Supports In Vitro Fertilization | Yes |
| Describes Herself as a "Devout Catholic" | Yes |
| Communion Ban | Yes |
| Criticizes the Pope | Yes |
| Calls for Women Priests | Yes |
| Supports Affordable Care Act | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Nancy Pelosi's views on abortion
Despite considering herself a "devout Catholic", Nancy Pelosi has had several disagreements with members of the Catholic Church hierarchy over abortion, gay rights, contraception, and in vitro fertilization. Pelosi has been an outspoken supporter of abortion rights and has clashed with Catholic bishops over her stance.
In May 2022, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco announced that Pelosi would be barred from receiving Holy Communion because of her support for pro-choice abortion policies. The archbishop cited Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law as the basis for his decision. In response, Pelosi appealed to the Vatican to overturn the Communion ban, arguing that her understanding of the issue was still unresolved. However, experts believe that the chances of a successful appeal are slim, as Pelosi would have needed to bring her case to Pope Francis within a specific timeframe, typically within 30 days of the initial imposition of the ban.
Pelosi has defended her position on abortion rights, stating that it is a woman's right to make her own choices regarding her family, her God, and her doctor. She has also criticized the Church's lobbying against the Affordable Care Act due to contraception coverage. On the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Pelosi lamented the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark ruling, stating that it allowed state lawmakers to impose "draconian restrictions on women's reproductive rights and freedoms".
Pelosi's views on abortion have put her at odds with the Catholic Church's official position, which upholds the dignity of human life at every stage. However, it is important to note that Pelosi is not the only Catholic political leader to support abortion rights, and her stance on the issue is informed by her interpretation of her Catholic faith and its emphasis on social justice and equality.
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Her relationship with San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who considers herself a "devout Catholic", has had a strained relationship with her bishop, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. The two have disagreed on several issues, including abortion, gay rights, and the role of women in the Church.
Pelosi has long been a supporter of abortion rights and has defended efforts to permit federal funding of elective abortions. In May 2022, Archbishop Cordileone, who is Pelosi's local ordinary, announced that Pelosi would be barred from receiving Holy Communion within his archdiocese because of her stance on abortion. In an open letter, he cited Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law as applying to her case, stating that the Church has "always upheld the dignity of human life in every stage".
Pelosi has continued to receive Communion, stating, "I received Communion anyway. That's his problem, not mine [...] My Catholic faith is, Christ is my saviour. It has nothing to do with the bishops." She has since appealed to the Vatican to overturn the ban, but experts believe that such recourse is no longer available to her, as she would have needed to bring her case to Pope Francis within 30 days of the initial imposition of the ban.
Archbishop Cordileone has expressed his desire to engage in honest dialogue with Pelosi, stating his duty as a pastor "to teach, console, heal, and forgive, but also, when necessary, to correct, admonish, and call to conversion". He has also requested prayers for the Speaker's conversion on the issue of abortion, that it may be "consistent with the respect for human dignity she displays in so many other contexts".
In addition to their disagreement over abortion, Pelosi and Archbishop Cordileone have clashed over the Church's stance on gay rights. Pelosi has stated that her position in support of LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, reflects her Catholic faith, as she believes her religion compels her "to be against discrimination of any kind". This places her at odds with Catholic doctrine, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Pelosi has also called for the Church to start allowing women to become priests, saying that while her mother wanted her to be a nun, she would have preferred to be a priest.
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Her Catholic school education
Nancy Pelosi considers herself a "devout Catholic" and has stated that she grew up in a "pro-life family". She graduated from the Institute of Notre Dame, an all-girls Catholic high school in Baltimore, in 1958. Her Catholic faith has influenced her political views and advocacy for various causes. For instance, she has cited her faith as a motivation for her support of LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, despite this being at odds with Catholic doctrine. Pelosi has also emphasised the importance of her faith in shaping her beliefs on abortion, arguing that it is a woman's right to make choices regarding her family and that abortion access is fundamental to respecting women and families.
Pelosi's Catholic education and upbringing have clearly played a significant role in forming her values and principles. She has spoken about how her Catholic faith has influenced her stance on various political and social issues. While she may disagree with certain aspects of Catholic doctrine, she firmly believes in the importance of her faith in her personal and public life.
Pelosi's Catholic education provided her with a strong foundation of values and principles that have guided her throughout her life. The teachings and values instilled during her time at the Institute of Notre Dame shaped her perspective on a range of issues, including social justice, equality, and the role of religion in society. Her Catholic education emphasised the importance of compassion, solidarity, and respect for human dignity, which have become central tenets of her political career.
Pelosi has also credited her Catholic education with fostering a sense of community and service. The values of charity, compassion, and social responsibility were likely emphasised during her schooling, influencing her commitment to public service and advocacy for the vulnerable and marginalised. Her Catholic education encouraged a sense of social responsibility and a duty to contribute to the common good, which are evident in her political endeavours.
While Pelosi's Catholic school education has undoubtedly influenced her values and beliefs, it has also been a source of controversy within the Catholic Church. Her support for abortion rights and LGBT equality has placed her at odds with some members of the Catholic hierarchy. Despite this, Pelosi remains steadfast in her beliefs, arguing that her interpretation of Catholic teachings aligns with her support for individual rights and social progress.
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Her support for LGBT rights
Nancy Pelosi has long supported LGBT rights. She has said that her position on LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, grows from and reflects her Catholic faith. She stated:
> My religion compels me—and I love it for it—to be against discrimination of any kind in our country, and I consider [the ban on gay marriage] a form of discrimination. I think it's unconstitutional on top of that.
Pelosi has continuously supported legislation that expands laws to better reflect the diverse society in which we live. She has supported the Equality Act, a bill that would expand the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2019, she spoke in Congress in favour of the bill and called for an end to discrimination against LGBT people. Pelosi also opposed Trump's transgender military ban.
Pelosi has appeared at many LGBT events over the years, including the NGLCC National Dinner in 2018, the 2007 HRC National Dinner, and San Francisco Pride. She has also met with LGBT activists, such as Cuban LGBT activist Juana Mora Cedeno of Proyecto Manos, to discuss issues including education, healthcare, and access to antiretroviral medication for Cubans living with HIV.
Pelosi has a strong history of advocacy for equal rights for all. Since her first day in Congress, ending discrimination against gays and lesbians has been a top priority. She has voted against legislation that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman, and she has supported legislation to enshrine marriage equality into federal law. Pelosi has also called for the Church to start allowing women to become priests.
Pelosi's credibility with LGBT voters is ironclad. In 2019, 102 LGBT leaders announced they "enthusiastically endorsed" her to return to the speakership, stating:
> There is no better ally to the LGBT community on Capitol Hill than Leader Pelosi, period.
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Her stance on women becoming priests
Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, has publicly supported the ordination of women as priests in the Catholic Church. Pelosi, who considers herself a "devout Catholic", has had several disagreements with members of the Catholic Church hierarchy over issues such as abortion, contraception, and gay rights.
Pelosi has expressed her hope that Pope Francis would act on the ordination of women, stating that when she was growing up, she was more attracted to the idea of becoming a priest than a Catholic sister because of the priest's ability to celebrate Mass. She has also criticised the role of San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone in the 2008 passage of Proposition 8, a California ballot measure banning the recognition of same-sex marriages.
During a discussion at a Jesuit Catholic university, Pelosi called for the Church to start allowing women to become priests, revealing that her mother had wanted her to be a nun, but she would have preferred to be a priest. She also expressed her disappointment in the Church's lobbying against the Affordable Care Act because of contraception coverage.
Pelosi's stance on women becoming priests in the Catholic Church is aligned with her support for gender equality and her advocacy for LGBT rights. She supports the Equality Act, a bill that would expand the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Pelosi has also opposed former President Trump's transgender military ban.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pelosi considers herself a "devout Catholic". She attended the all-girls Catholic high school, Institute of Notre Dame, and has spoken about her cherished Catholic memories, including her first Communion and the baptisms of her grandchildren.
Pelosi has been vocal about her support for abortion rights and has cited her Catholic faith while defending her stance. She has argued that abortion access is fundamental to respecting women and families and has criticised the Church's lobbying against the Affordable Care Act due to contraception coverage.
Yes, in 2022, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco announced that Pelosi would be barred from receiving Holy Communion because of her support for abortion rights. Pelosi has continued to receive Communion in other dioceses and has appealed to the Vatican to overturn the ban.
