U.S. President Joe Biden, a Catholic, declined to discuss his support for abortion rights despite Church teaching.
Newsroom (06/03/2022 5:50 PM, Gaudium Press) “I don’t want to get into a debate with you about theology,” said Biden, after being asked by EWTN Correspondent Owen Jensen about how he is able to reconcile his Catholic faith with his public support of abortion. “I’m not going to make a judgment for other people.”
Biden, who was wearing an ash cross on his forehead, said that he had met with Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, his bishop, earlier in the morning and received ashes then.
When asked by reporters, Biden said the he gave up “all sweets” for Lent, including ice cream. “And I’m — you know me, I start off with dessert,” said Biden. “No ice cream. Nothing.”
Biden, the second Catholic president (John F Kennedy being the other), has had unwavering support for abortion rights as president, and has refused to say if he supports any restrictions on the procedure.
On Tuesday night, during his first State of the Union address, Biden noted that the “constitutional right affirmed by Roe v. Wade, standing precedent for half a century, is under attack as never before,” and said that “preserving a woman’s right to chose” is a positive step for the country’s healthcare system.
On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released a joint statement pledging their support for codifying the Supreme Court decision into law.
“The constitutional right established in Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago today is under assault as never before,” read the statement. “It is a right we believe should be codified into law, and we pledge to defend it with every tool we possess.”
“We are deeply committed to protecting access to health care, including reproductive health care—and to ensuring that this country is not pushed backwards on women’s equality,” the statement continued.
(Via CNA)
Compiled by Raju Hasmukh
