Catholic Social Teaching

“It’s really hard to put into words what it is like to work with Nick. He is just so totally amazing. Nick has such a good sense of humor. His wonderful personality gives me so much joy.”

Joe Biden becomes president at a time when the country is enduring a deadly pandemic, profound polarization, racial divisions and financial uncertainty.

Archbishop Gomez also said in a Jan. 20 statement that he was praying for Biden, the country’s second Catholic president, as he enters office so that God grants “him wisdom and courage to lead this great nation and … to meet the tests of these times.”

“It’s time for our faith to drive our politics, instead of the other way around.”

“Catholics ought never to disagree in regard to moral principles, but they can indeed legitimately disagree about the best means to instantiate those principles.”

“It pains us to see Catholics fostering division among the body of Christ by calling into question the faithfulness of others who vote differently. We are all responsible for our moral choices, including voting, and we must do so in accordance with a well-formed conscience.”

The encyclical takes its title from St. Francis of Assisi and is inspired by his “fraternal openness,” which, the pope said, calls on people “to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.”

“Voting is a decision left to each individual. It should be the culmination of a longer process of education and discernment during which you properly form your conscience so you can make good decisions regarding the public policies and moral issues at stake in the election.”