VP JD Vance Clashes with Catholic Bishops Over Immigration Policy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Less than a week after Vice President JD Vance shared the inauguration stage with a senior Catholic cardinal, he found himself in a public clash with U.S. Catholic bishops. Vance accused the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) of using federal funds to resettle “illegal immigrants,” prompting backlash from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and other church leaders. Vance defended his position by citing “ordo amoris,” a medieval Catholic concept, but scholars argue he is misinterpreting Church teachings on charity and immigration.
VP JD Vance and Catholic Bishops Clash Over Immigration: Quick Look
- Vance accuses Catholic bishops of aiding undocumented immigration for federal funds.
- Cardinal Dolan rejects the claims, calling them “scurrilous” and misleading.
- Vance cites “ordo amoris”, arguing that care should prioritize citizens over migrants.
- Scholars dispute Vance’s interpretation, pointing to Catholic teachings on helping the needy.
- The rift deepens as some Catholic leaders back Trump’s policies, while others push back.
VP JD Vance Clashes with Catholic Bishops Over Immigration Policy
VP JD Vance Sparks Catholic Rift Over Immigration Policy
Vance, a Catholic convert, accused the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) of supporting illegal immigration for financial gain. His comments drew sharp condemnation from New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who denounced the accusations as “scurrilous” and “nasty.”
The controversy highlights a shifting dynamic in Washington’s Catholic influence, as conservative Catholics gain prominence under the Trump administration, replacing the more liberal Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, who were often at odds with Catholic leadership over abortion rights.
Vance vs. U.S. Catholic Bishops
Vance’s remarks came as he defended Trump’s strict immigration policies, arguing that the Catholic bishops were not a “good partner” in enforcing immigration laws.
“They took $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants,” Vance claimed.
Cardinal Dolan strongly rejected the accusation, addressing the controversy on his SiriusXM radio show:
“That’s just scurrilous, it’s very nasty, and it’s not true,” Dolan said.
Dolan pointed out that Catholic charities help resettle legal refugees, as permitted under U.S. policy, and that private donations supplement government grants rather than generating profit.
“You think we make money on it? We’re losing it hand over fist,” Dolan added.
Vance’s “Ordo Amoris” Argument
Vance defended his position by citing “ordo amoris” (Latin for “order of love”), a medieval Catholic theological concept. According to Vance, the idea justifies prioritizing care in the following order:
- Family first
- Neighbors and local community
- Fellow citizens
- The rest of the world
“You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country,” Vance said in a Fox News interview.
Vance argued that the “far left” has inverted this moral hierarchy, prioritizing global causes over national ones.
Theological Scholars Dispute Vance’s Interpretation
Experts in Catholic theology pushed back on Vance’s use of ordo amoris, arguing that he oversimplifies and misinterprets it.
Jesuit theologian David Hollenbach of Georgetown University noted that while Catholic teaching emphasizes obligations to family and fellow citizens, it also demands helping those in urgent need—regardless of nationality.
“Aquinas goes on to say if there are people at a greater distance who are in great need, they take priority,” Hollenbach explained.
Hollenbach cited Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which an outsider cares for a wounded stranger when others refuse. He also referenced Pope Francis’ teachings, which emphasize the moral duty to welcome migrants and reject xenophobic policies.
Catholic Division Over Immigration and Social Policy
The dispute reflects a deeper Catholic divide over immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and social conservatism.
- Pro-Trump Catholic leaders, like Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge, defend U.S. immigration enforcement while maintaining that immigrants deserve dignity.
- More progressive Catholic leaders, including Cardinal McElroy, advocate for greater inclusion and support for migrants.
- Trump’s Vatican ambassador nominee, Brian Burch, leads CatholicVote, a conservative group that supports Trump’s policies.
This divide also extends to LGBTQ+ issues. While Washington Archbishop Cardinal Wilton Gregory has apologized for the Church’s past treatment of LGBTQ+ Catholics, others, like Archbishop Timothy Broglio, welcomed Trump’s recent executive order defining gender as strictly male or female.
The Bigger Picture: A Catholic Power Shift in Washington
The Trump-Vance administration marks a major shift in Catholic influence in Washington. Gone are the days of Biden and Pelosi’s brand of liberal Catholicism—now, conservative Catholic leaders are directly shaping policy.
Vance’s clash with Catholic bishops underscores how the Trump administration’s priorities align with a more nationalist, postliberal Catholic movement, which seeks to use state power to enforce Christian values.
As Vance continues to promote theological concepts like “ordo amoris” in political discourse, the question remains: Will conservative Catholicism dominate American politics, or will the Church push back?
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