Washington Catholic Leader Calls Out Biden on Abortion Controversy

Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., criticized President Biden on Sunday for what he termed as "cafeteria Catholicism," accusing him of selectively adhering to aspects of the faith, particularly regarding the right to abortion.

Biden, 81, the second Catholic to be elected president, has stated his personal opposition to abortion while supporting its legality.

DC cardinal dings ‘cafeteria Catholic’ President Biden on abortion: ‘He picks and chooses’ https://t.co/DQVd1jnG23 pic.twitter.com/ky1x8MOq0W

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"I would say that he's very sincere about his faith. But like a number of Catholics, he picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight while ignoring or even contradicting other parts," Gregory, the nation’s first Black cardinal, told CBS’s "Face the Nation."

"There is a phrase that we have used in the past, a ‘cafeteria Catholic,’ you choose that which is attractive, and dismiss that which is challenging," Gregory added.

While Biden has publicly supported abortion rights, he has often deferred on the issue to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has undertaken a "Reproductive Freedoms Tour."

Harris, a Baptist, has been joined by First Lady Jill Biden in advocating for abortion rights.

Gregory suggested that abortion was a primary concern when discussing "cafeteria Catholics." "Especially in terms of the life issues, there are things that he chooses to ignore, or he uses the current situation as a political pawn," Gregory said of Biden.

Biden, acknowledging his Catholic faith, has expressed reservations about abortion but supported the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Gregory hinted at the possibility that Pope Francis may have conveyed similar concerns about abortion to Biden during their meeting in the president's first year in office.

“I would say that he's very sincere about his faith. But like a number of Catholics, he picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight while ignoring or even contradicting other parts," Gregory remarked on X.

Biden's stance on abortion has occasionally drawn criticism from progressive quarters for not being more assertive on abortion rights.

During his presidential campaign, he reversed his support for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibited federal funds from being used for abortion procedures, moving farther left on the controversial issue of life.