The Current Schism in the Catholic Church and How We Might Help
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden became, after John F. Kennedy Jr., the second Catholic President of the United States of America. During his first days in office, Biden signed many orders designed to undo the damage caused by his predecessor. Biden, the Congress and Senate put in place funding and coordinated scientific leadership to address the COVID-19 pandemic which has now killed over 550,000 Americans. This effort includes manufacturing and distributing the vaccines, as well as, consistent messaging that the vaccines are safe and we all still should be using masks, social distancing and washing our hands frequently. In addition, an ambitious financial stimulus package has been passed to help the poorest and disenfranchised Americans. On day one, Biden rejoined the Paris climate accords, the World Health Organization and began reconnecting with world leaders in the much needed effort to rebuild some trust and faith in America. Science will play an important role in policy decisions and supporting human rights for all marginalized people. Biden has also stated his support for a woman’s right to choose regarding her healthcare, including a right to have a safe and legal abortion, a position that is anathema to the Catholic Church.
President Biden is a regular churchgoer and has been very open about his commitment to his faith. He believes the example and words attributed to Jesus in the Gospels and demonstrates this in his support of his administration’s social justice policies. One would have thought that all Catholics would be reassured to have Biden in the Oval Office. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are many Catholics, and even some Church officials, who do not agree with him or, for that matter, with Pope Francis whose focus is on helping people and tackling the world climate crisis. The tension in this schism between these two positions highlights a progressive/conservative schism that has existed for a long time within the Catholic Church.
I interviewed an old friend and colleague, Kent Burtner, to discuss the development of this schism and the ways in which some of the more rigidly conservative organizations within the Catholic Church operate as authoritarian cults. It is these forces which oppose the Pope and Joe Biden. We are both dedicated to helping families concerned about a loved one in a destructive organization and offering support to former cult members. Kent is a consultant for Freedom of Mind and has helped me with cases over the years.
