Is Biden’s faith now in question?
During a White House press briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary, fielded questions concerning Pope Francis’ recent declaration condemning gender theory. Despite the Pope’s reaffirmation of the Catholic Church’s stance against altering an individual’s immutable gender, Jean-Pierre reiterated President Biden’s unwavering support for the transgender community.
A journalist probed Jean-Pierre regarding the content of the Pope’s document released on Monday, emphasizing its condemnation of gender theory, which the Church sees as an attempt to undermine God’s design. While Jean-Pierre refrained from directly commenting on Biden’s perspective on the document, she underscored the President’s commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender individuals.
In response to a follow-up question regarding the specific remarks on gender theory and transgender persons, Jean-Pierre treaded carefully, emphasizing that it’s not within the President’s purview to interfere with internal Church policies. However, she reiterated Biden’s clear stance on safeguarding the rights and safety of transgender individuals, a position he has upheld since the inception of his administration.
The Pope’s declaration, titled “Dignitas Infinita” or “Infinite Dignity” in Latin, addresses numerous contemporary issues through the lens of scripture and church doctrine. This document, which took over five years to develop under the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), emphasizes the threats to human dignity in today’s world, encompassing topics such as abortion, human trafficking, poverty, euthanasia, and the death penalty.
Regarding gender theory, the document reaffirms the Church’s belief that human life, in its entirety, is a divine gift to be embraced with gratitude and utilized for the greater good. It critiques gender theory for advocating personal self-determination outside the framework of this fundamental truth, cautioning against the temptation to usurp God’s authority. The Pope has previously referred to gender ideology as one of the most concerning ideological encroachments of recent times.
Moreover, the document highlights the significance of sexual difference as a foundational aspect of human existence, emphasizing the beauty and power inherent in the male-female relationship. It underscores the irreplaceable role of sexual difference in procreation, celebrating the miracle of new life.
In addition to addressing gender theory, the declaration reaffirms the Church’s teachings on abortion and delves into ethical concerns surrounding surrogate pregnancies, echoing the Pope’s call for a global prohibition on such practices.
