Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Brian Burch, the president of the political advocacy group Catholic Vote, as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. This move has provoked outrage given Burch’s known criticisms of Pope Francis and his advocacy for more socially conservative viewpoints within the Catholic Church.
In a statement detailing the nomination, Trump described Burch as “a devout Catholic, a father of nine,” and credited him with securing unprecedented support among Catholic voters during the last election cycle. “He represented me well during the last Election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any Presidential Candidate in History! Brian loves his Church and the United States — He will make us all proud,” Trump elaborated.
Burch is a prominent figure within conservative Catholic circles and has frequently challenged the Pope’s more progressive stances, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Under Pope Francis, there have been efforts to create a more inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Church, a move that has drawn ire from Burch and other conservative groups. Following the Pope’s 2023 decision to allow limited blessings for same-sex couples, Burch appeared on the right-wing channel Newsmax, where he expressed that such a decision created “massive confusion” within the Catholic community. He has also indicated that he believes Francis will not remain in his role for much longer, asserting that a future pope must “clarify” the Church’s teachings on sexuality.
Catholic Vote, under Burch’s leadership, endorsed Trump’s presidential campaigns in both 2020 and 2024. The organisation has openly criticized President Joe Biden for his support of LGBTQ+ rights and abortion, positions they argue are fundamentally incompatible with Catholic doctrine. This ongoing criticism highlights the tensions between contemporary political figures and traditional Church teachings.
Burch’s appointment comes in the context of increased scrutiny on the relationship between the U.S. government and Catholic-affiliated organisations. He has voiced concerns over how these groups have interacted with the Biden administration regarding immigration issues. “American Catholics deserve to know the full extent of the U.S. government’s role in funding and coordinating with Catholic Church-affiliated agencies at the border,” Burch stated in a 2022 announcement, calling for transparency in how these agencies have participated in the migration crisis.
The nomination of Burch, however, may signal a shift in the diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican, particularly with regard to Pope Francis. Analysts suggest that Burch’s appointment could exacerbate existing tensions. Steven Millies, a professor of public theology, remarked to the National Catholic Reporter that “[Burch] is an agitator, mostly, the opposite of a diplomat. A difficult time lies ahead for U.S.-Vatican relations.” Meanwhile, Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova University, emphasised the significance of this move, noting that it indicates the type of relationship Trump aims to cultivate with the Vatican.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-appoints-vocal-critic-of-pope-as-envoy-to-vatican/3430693 – Corroborates Donald Trump’s nomination of Brian Burch as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and Burch’s criticisms of Pope Francis.
- https://www.cathstan.org/us-world/trump-names-catholicvotes-brian-burch-as-next-holy-see-ambassador – Details Trump’s announcement of Brian Burch as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and Burch’s background as the president of CatholicVote.
- https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/burch/ – Provides information on Brian Burch’s criticisms of Pope Francis, particularly regarding LGBTQ issues, and his role in CatholicVote.
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-appoints-vocal-critic-of-pope-as-envoy-to-vatican/3430693 – Mentions Burch’s criticism of Pope Francis’s decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples and his prediction that Francis will not remain in office much longer.
- https://www.cathstan.org/us-world/trump-names-catholicvotes-brian-burch-as-next-holy-see-ambassador – Quotes Trump’s statement praising Burch for securing unprecedented support among Catholic voters during the last election cycle.
- https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/burch/ – Discusses CatholicVote’s endorsement of Trump’s presidential campaigns and their criticism of President Joe Biden’s support for LGBTQ rights and abortion.
- https://www.cathstan.org/us-world/trump-names-catholicvotes-brian-burch-as-next-holy-see-ambassador – Highlights Burch’s concerns over the U.S. government’s role in funding and coordinating with Catholic Church-affiliated agencies at the border.
- https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/burch/ – Analyzes the potential impact of Burch’s appointment on U.S.-Vatican relations, including comments from analysts like Steven Millies and Massimo Faggioli.
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-appoints-vocal-critic-of-pope-as-envoy-to-vatican/3430693 – Mentions that Burch’s nomination will require confirmation from the U.S. Senate and approval from the Vatican.
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