Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bishops' Abortion-Related Communion Vote Fuels Charges Of Politics, Hypocrisy
The Hill: Move By Catholic Bishops Against Biden Brings Howls Of Hypocrisy
Catholic bishops who voted to advance an effort that could deny President Biden Communion over his stance on abortion are being accused of hypocrisy by critics of the decision. Biden, just the second Catholic U.S. president in history, regularly goes to church and touts his faith as a deeply personal aspect of his life. ... “You did not tell Bill Barr, a Catholic, not to take Communion when he expanded killing human beings with the death penalty,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), referring to the former attorney general and his position on the death penalty. (Gangitano, 6/21)
Politico: White House: Biden's Catholic Faith Is Not 'Political'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday that President Joe Biden did not interpret his Catholic faith “through a political prism,” declining to comment on a recent decision by U.S. Catholic bishops that could result in a rebuke of the president for his views on abortion. “Joe Biden is a strong man of faith. And as he noted just a couple of days ago, it’s personal. He goes to church, as you know, nearly every weekend. He even went when we were on our overseas trip,” Psaki told reporters — referring to the president and first lady’s attendance at a Sunday service last week at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the English seaside town of St. Ives. (Forgey, 6/21)
Fox News: Biden To Continue To Attend Church Despite Possible Rebuke From Catholic Bishops
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said President Biden will likely "continue to attend church" despite efforts by U.S. Catholic bishops to prevent him and other politicians who support abortion policies from receiving Communion at Mass. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) last week voted overwhelmingly to draft a formal document on the meaning of the Eucharist after a contentious debate on whether Biden and other politicians supportive of abortion policies are worthy of receiving Communion. The vote tally announced Friday was 168 bishops in favor, 55 opposed, and six bishops abstaining. (Singman, 6/21)
The New York Times: Why Do Some Catholic Bishops Want To Deny Joe Biden Communion?
The nation’s Roman Catholic bishops last week advanced a conservative push to deny communion to President Biden, the nation’s second Catholic president, who regularly attends Mass and has spent a lifetime steeped in Christian rituals and practices. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted last week to draft new guidance on the sacrament of the Eucharist, in a challenge to Mr. Biden for his support of abortion rights, which contradicts church teaching. The new statement will address the sacrament broadly. But ultimately, it could be used as theological justification to deny communion to Mr. Biden and Catholic politicians like him who support abortion rights. (Heyward, 6/21)
