As Joe Biden, only the second Catholic to hold the office of President, prepares to leave the White House, the incoming Trump administration appears set to bring a resurgence of Catholic influence in American politics. President Trump, though non-denominational himself, has nominated a significant number of Catholics to high-ranking positions within his administration. This includes Vice President JD Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Their faith could play a significant role in shaping public policy, aligning with a conservative interpretation of Catholic social teaching and charting a new course for the Republican Party.
Alignment with Catholic Social Teaching
Conservative Catholic leaders see a close alignment between Trump’s policy priorities for his second term and their interpretation of Catholic social teaching. This teaching, they argue, is not simply about pro-life issues but also emphasizes the promotion of marriage and family, parental rights in areas such as education and healthcare, and the empowerment of non-governmental institutions like churches and non-profit organizations for social support.
Rachel Bovard, vice president of programs at the Conservative Partnership Institute, anticipates the emergence of a distinct Catholic paradigm within Trump’s administration. The adoption of some Catholic principles in policy-making marks a shift away from the individualistic evangelical Protestantism that has long influenced the Republican Party.
Pro-Family Policies
Trump’s pro-family platform aligns closely with Catholic principles, according to Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project. This includes policies that incentivize marriage and having children, restrict access to online pornography for minors, and start to scrutinize big businesses like pharmaceutical companies and tech giants.
The shift towards Catholicism within the GOP is more associated with populism and what conservative Catholic leaders term a common-good conservatism. This is a move towards policies that are more family and community-oriented, rather than focusing on individual rights.
Impact on Party Identity
The impact of this Catholic influence is already being seen, with Trump declaring that the GOP has become the party of common sense. The success of this approach is evident in Trump’s improved performance among Catholic voters, particularly among Latino Catholics.
Notably, the Catholicism influencing Trump’s administration is distinct from the progressive interpretation of the faith advocated by Democrats like Biden and Nancy Pelosi, which emphasizes social justice, climate change, and healthcare access.
In conclusion, Trump’s administration appears to be ushering in a new era of Catholic influence that aligns with a conservative interpretation of the faith’s social teaching. This approach, centered on pro-family policies and a focus on the common good, could significantly reshape the GOP’s identity and policy direction. However, it remains to be seen how these changes will be received by both the broader public and other factions within the Republican Party.
