Catholic vs Catholic

U.S. vice presidential debate features two Catholic men with different Catholic worldviews

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul
Ryan gesture during the U.S. vice presidential debate in Danville, Ky., Oct. 11.
It is the first time in history that both major political parties have a Catholic
seeking the vice presidency. Rick Wilking / Reuters / CNS.

You'd be hard pressed to find what the Catholic Church actually teaches by watching last night's vice presidential debate. Both Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan touted their Catholic faith proudly, but how each said their faith shapes them was very different.


The Washington Post breaks down how both candidates defined their faith and how it forms them in their public life, especially their views on abortion.

Ryan said:

"I don’t see how a person can separate their public life from their private life or from their faith,” Ryan said. “Our faith informs us in everything we do. My faith informs me about how to take care of the vulnerable, of how to make sure that people have a chance in life."

"Now, you want to ask basically why I’m pro-life? It’s not simply because of my Catholic faith. That’s a factor, of course. But it’s also because of reason and science."

The Republican vice-presidential candidate shared how his eldest daughter’s nickname is “Bean” due to how she appeared in her first ultrasound. He also said that he’s troubled by what he feels is the Obama administration’s infringement on “our first freedom, the freedom of religion, by infringing on Catholic charities, Catholic churches, Catholic hospitals. Our church should not have to sue our federal government to maintain their religious liberties.

Biden's response:

"The Catholic social doctrine talks about taking care of those who -- who can’t take care of themselves, people who need help. With regard to -- with regard to abortion, I accept my church’s position on abortion as a -- what we call a (inaudible) doctrine. Life begins at conception in the church’s judgment. I accept it in my personal life."

While he accepts the church’s doctrine when it comes to abortion, he refuses to "impose that on others."

"I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that -- women they can’t control their body. It’s a decision between them and their doctor. In my view and the Supreme Court, I’m not going to interfere with that."

Read the full story here.