He should not have done what he did at the rally.
President Biden faced backlash for making the Sign of the Cross during a speech opposing abortion restrictions in Tampa, Florida. The gesture occurred while Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried criticized Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s new six-week abortion ban. Biden’s use of the Sign of the Cross, a symbol of piety in Christianity, sparked criticism from Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, who deemed it inappropriate given Biden’s support for abortion rights.
Despite identifying as Catholic, Biden’s stance on abortion contradicts core teachings of the Catholic Church. Bishop Robert Gruss of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan criticized Biden’s apparent misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine, referring to him as “stupid” in this context. Brian Burch emphasized the contradiction between Biden’s support for abortion and Catholic beliefs, urging voters to consider this discrepancy in their decision-making.
Fox News Digital reached out to Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, encompassing Tampa, for comment on Biden’s actions at the abortion rally. A spokesperson for the diocese highlighted Bishop Parkes’ consistent teachings on the Church’s stance on abortion and recent efforts by Florida bishops to educate voters, particularly regarding Amendment Four. This amendment, proposed by pro-choice groups, aims to protect abortion rights before viability or when deemed necessary by a healthcare provider. However, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes it, advocating for measures to protect both the unborn and women’s well-being.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s use of the Sign of the Cross underscores the tension between his political stance on abortion and his Catholic faith. Brian Burch criticized Biden for appropriating a sacred gesture in support of abortion rights, while Bishop Gruss lamented what he perceived as Biden’s misunderstanding of Catholic teachings. As debates over abortion continue to divide communities and political discourse, the intersection of religion and public policy remains a contentious issue.
