During a recent Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh, President Joe Biden lauded Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as having “the moral compass of a saint.”
This glowing endorsement has triggered some reactions from Catholic theologians.
Biden’s Statement at the Rally
Standing before a cheering crowd, Biden declared, “She has a backbone like a ramrod and she has the moral compass of a saint — this woman knows what she’s doing.”
He went on to make a bold promise, asserting, “I promise you if you elect Kamala Harris as president, it will be the best decision you will have ever made.”
Theological Pushback
However, Biden’s comments have faced criticism, particularly from those within the Catholic community.
Critics argue that Harris’s stance on issues like abortion contradicts the values typically associated with sainthood.
As Vice President, Harris has supported the expansion of abortion rights and has pledged to maintain the standards set by the now-overturned Roe v. Wade ruling, which could override state-level pro-life measures.
In her previous role as Attorney General of California, Harris co-sponsored legislation that limited the free speech of pro-life pregnancy centers—a measure later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Additionally, as a senator, she questioned judicial nominees about their affiliations with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization.
The Critics Weigh In
Edward Feser, a Catholic philosopher, criticized Biden’s statement as “manifestly ludicrous.”
Feser suggested that a true saint would oppose abortion, rather than supporting it as Harris does.
Similarly, Dominican Father Thomas Petri, president of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception, contended that advocating for abortion is inconsistent with sainthood.
He emphasized that sainthood involves not only faith but also adherence to ethical principles, with life being a fundamental issue.
Petri also noted that historical figures like St. Thomas More and St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who achieved sainthood while in positions of authority, understood that their power was derived from God’s authority and lived their roles accordingly.
The Concept of Sanctity
Petri criticized Biden for being “too cavalier” in his use of the term “sanctity,” suggesting that a deeper understanding of spiritual life is necessary to truly grasp what being a saint entails.
He highlighted that sainthood is a lifelong journey requiring grace.
Joe Heschmeyer, a staff apologist at Catholic Answers, pointed to St. John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae as a key reference for understanding the “moral compass of a saint.”
Heschmeyer quoted the former pope’s teachings on the sanctity of human life and the importance of respecting this fundamental right.
Biden’s Religious References
As the second Catholic president of the United States, Biden has faced criticism for using religious arguments to support policies that some argue are at odds with Church teachings.
For example, last year, he suggested that banning transgender medical treatments for minors was “close to sinful” and made the sign of the cross while advocating for abortion, which drew condemnation from several bishops.
Political Context
The rally, held on September 2, focused primarily on union and worker support.
Harris discussed efforts to bolster steel manufacturing in the U.S. and opposed the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to the Japanese firm Nippon Steel.
With Biden narrowly winning Pennsylvania in 2020 and Trump securing the state by a slim margin in 2016, the 2024 presidential race remains highly competitive in the Keystone State, with current polls showing the race almost evenly split.
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