CNA Staff, Nov 7, 2020 / 05:23 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, on Saturday congratulated president-elect Joe Biden, and called for dialogue and compromise for the common good.
“We recognize that Joseph R. Biden, Jr., has received enough votes to be elected the 46th President of the United States,” Archbishop Gomez said Nov. 7. “We congratulate Mr. Biden and acknowledge that he joins the late President John F. Kennedy as the second United States president to profess the Catholic faith.”
The statement issued by the USCCB thanked God “for the blessings of liberty” and stated that “now is the time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity and to commit themselves to dialogue and compromise for the common good.”
Archbishop Gomez said, “As Catholics and Americans, our priorities and mission are clear. We are here to follow Jesus Christ, to bear witness to His love in our lives, and to build His Kingdom on earth.”
At this time, he said, “Catholics have a special duty to be peacemakers, to promote fraternity and mutual trust, and to pray for a renewed spirit of true patriotism in our country.”
“Democracy requires that all of us conduct ourselves as people of virtue and self-discipline. It requires that we respect the free expression of opinions and that we treat one another with charity and civility, even as we might disagree deeply in our debates on matters of law and public policy.”
The archbishop asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for the U.S., saying, “May she help us to work together to fulfill the beautiful vision of America’s missionaries and founders — one nation under God, where the sanctity of every human life is defended and freedom of conscience and religion are guaranteed.”
Several media outlets called the 2020 U.S. presidential election for Biden on Saturday after his leads in Pennsylvania and Nevada widened.
Though he will be the second Catholic president in U.S. history, Biden has faced criticism from U.S. bishops for a policy agenda that includes expanded legal protection and federal funding for abortion.
In his statement, Archbishop Gomez also congratulated Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, “who becomes the first woman ever elected as vice president.”
President Donald Trump has not conceded the election, citing recounts and legal challenges to some statewide counts.
The Trump administration was widely praised by U.S. bishops for enacting religious liberty protections, and promoting measures restricting abortion and the federal funding of abortion clinics. Trump also garnered praise among pro-lifers for his appointment of Catholic justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Trump also faced criticism from the bishops for restricting the number of refugee and asylum seekers seeking entry into the U.S., and for his use of the federal death penalty.
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This congratulation message is premature and hypocritical.
– The Electoral College confirms the President-Elect. That is over a week away still.
– Catholics do NOT believe in ABORTION or homosexuality.
Mr. Biden supports BOTH. He is not an active practicing Catholic.
US Bishops are pandering and that is inappropriate.
Catholic beliefs are not a matter of convenience for some, they are our way of life per Jesus. The TRUTH must be revealed. GOD is the Truth, the Way and the Life.
AMEN
Archbishop Gomez, as president of the USCCB you owe an apology to every Catholic and to every American who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, for praising a man who insults his God by the life he leads!
We find it very disturbing that you, Archbishop Gomez, congratulates a man who has not even officially won, but has been a supporter of Late Term Abortion up until the time of birth and even after.
He has committed so many crimes and never gets his due process of law. He chose a running mate that hates the Catholic church. She also supports Abortion fully at any time during the pregnancy.
This is a very bad example for younger catholic generations. You literally promote Pro-choice + Pro-Abortion, in your role of a shepherd entrusted to you by Vatican.
We, a group of devoted-practicing roman Catholics in Orange County, are very offended and disappointed in you for not standing up to the Commandments Our Lord gave us.
Archbishop Gomez,
Thank you for your statement congratulating President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris on their election victories. Our nation, while materially blessed, is suffering greatly due to its ever-increasing divisions and inequalities. Your words of healing and forgiveness are so needed. May God bless us all and give us the strength to truly be our brother’s keeper.
Mark,
If an election result is contested it’s premature to congratulate either candidate. The bishops could have waited until the results are final.