Cardinal Robert Sarah has joined the ranks of Catholic leaders criticizing President Joe Biden for his selective adherence to Catholic teachings. In a recent speech at the Napa Institute in Washington, D.C., Cardinal Sarah echoed earlier remarks by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, describing Biden as a “cafeteria Catholic.”
Cardinal Sarah, a prominent conservative leader from West Africa, condemned Biden for picking and choosing which aspects of Catholic doctrine to follow. He noted that Biden’s positions on abortion and gender ideology starkly contrast with the Church’s teachings.
Sarah remarked, “You have a self-identified Catholic president who is an example of what Cardinal Gregory recently described as a ‘cafeteria Catholic.'”
Cardinal Gregory had previously criticized Biden for celebrating “Transgender Day of Visibility” on Easter Sunday, saying that Biden “picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight while ignoring or even contradicting other parts.” Gregory emphasized that true adherence to Catholicism requires embracing all its teachings, especially on life issues.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns abortion unequivocally, stating, “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.” It also attaches the penalty of excommunication to those who participate in abortion.
In 2020, Cardinal Raymond Burke stated that Biden’s stance on abortion made him “not a Catholic in good standing and he should not approach to receive Holy Communion.”
Cardinal Sarah pointed out that Biden is not the only public figure guilty of selective adherence to Catholic teachings. “Many of you Catholic public officials are in the same category. Many of your Catholic hospitals and universities are Catholic in name only,” he said.
Sarah warned against the rise of practical atheism within the Church, where faith is used for secular purposes. He lamented the loss of distinct Catholic identity in favor of cultural assimilation and criticized those who prioritize worldly acceptance over religious principles.
