Bishop criticizes Catholics for backing Trump’s reelection bid

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Kentucky Bishop John Stowe recently voiced strong criticism regarding the substantial Catholic support for Donald Trump, suggesting that U.S. Bishops should have alerted voters about potential risks associated with the election outcome.

The liberal-leaning bishop advocated that church leadership should have released an official statement opposing Trump’s policies post-election, similar to their response to Joe Biden in 2020.

'Bsp. J. Stowe Laments Catholic Voter Support for Donald Trump' ~T. D. Williams
'Stowe expressed his “dismay” over the overwhelming Catholic voter support for D. Trump, insisting the @USCCB should have warned Americans about the “danger” of the election'https://t.co/Ym8ih6pv9O pic.twitter.com/OQIfTdthSg

— Jeanie Hannaman (@JeanieHannaman) December 5, 2024

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Speaking to Crux, Stowe emphasized concerns about Trump’s leadership qualities, stating “and when somebody has such a flawed character that has been manifestly obvious throughout his previous presidency and the time in between, even denying the reality of the previous election, I think we have a responsibility to name the issue, and the issue is the person in this case.”

Previously, Stowe had shown support for Biden’s stance on abortion rights, suggesting that Catholic politicians face complex challenges balancing religious beliefs with legal obligations.

Stowe drew parallels between abortion support and immigration policies that exclude refugees and migrants in need.

He questioned the compatibility of certain positions with Christian values, particularly regarding systemic racism and treatment of immigrants.

The bishop has consistently criticized Trump and his supporters, declaring that “for this president to call himself pro-life, and for anybody to back him because of claims of being pro-life, is almost willful ignorance.”

Recent exit polls indicate Trump secured a significant 15-point lead among Catholic voters, despite Stowe’s concerns about the election’s implications.

While Trump and Catholic convert JD Vance actively engaged with Catholic voters, Kamala Harris’s campaign appeared to distance itself from Catholic interests.

Trump highlighted Harris’s declining Catholic support in October, emphasizing her controversial positions on abortion rights.

Former Ambassador Callista Gingrich characterized Harris as “the anti-Catholic candidate,” noting her absence from traditional Catholic events.

Gingrich pointed out that Harris “declined the invitation to attend the Al Smith Dinner, the first presidential candidate to do so since Walter Mondale in 1984,” choosing instead to submit a video message.

Sham bishop Stowe of Lexington encourages sodomy but bans the faithful from kneeling to receive the Blessed Sacrament

He prefers acts of grave depravity to acts of veneration

He was appointed sham bishop by sham pope in 2015 pic.twitter.com/dPXN2hxoMI

— Nick Donnelly (@ProtecttheFaith) February 5, 2024

CatholicVote.org’s Brian Burch described Trump’s performance as “historic,” noting that “Catholic voters played a decisive role in the historic victory of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, with some exit polls suggesting Trump defeated Harris among Catholics by a 14 point margin.”

Burch emphasized these results’ significance, stating “These numbers are shocking,” and “could prove to be the largest margin among Catholics in a presidential race in decades. Catholics proved again to be a critical voting bloc that cannot be ignored.”

He attributed this trend to Catholic voters’ increasing alignment with Trump’s conservative agenda, particularly regarding family and economic policies.