Catholics have spoken.
In recent years, there has been a discernible shift in the political landscape among Catholics in the United States, manifesting as a significant movement away from President Biden towards his Republican counterpart. Pew Research’s report, released on April 30, meticulously examines the preferences of various religious groups regarding presidential candidates, shedding light on intriguing trends and shifts in allegiance.
According to the survey data, a striking 55% of Catholics outright stand with former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical matchup against Biden. In contrast, only 43% of Catholics express similar sentiments for Biden in the same hypothetical scenario. This notable 12% margin in favor of Trump signifies a substantial departure from the 2020 election outcome, wherein Trump narrowly edged Biden with 50% to 49% among Catholic voters.
While Biden still maintains a marginal lead among Hispanic Catholics, with a split of 49% to 47%, this indicates a noteworthy rightward shift within this demographic. In contrast, the 2020 Pew Research poll suggested a significant preference for Biden over Trump among Hispanic Catholics, with an overwhelming split of 67% to 26%.
Among the Protestant respondents surveyed in April, approximately 60% expressed support for Trump, while about 38% leaned towards Biden, highlighting a consistent preference for the former president within this religious group.
Conversely, atheists, agnostics, and the religiously unaffiliated overwhelmingly favored Biden, with around 69% indicating their backing for the Democratic incumbent compared to only 28% voicing support for Trump, indicating a stark divide in political preferences based on religious affiliation.
Despite Biden’s concerted efforts to emphasize his Catholic faith during his presidential campaigns, portraying himself as a devout believer, he has encountered criticism from some Catholic leaders. They argue that his support for policies conflicting with core Catholic teachings, such as deregulation on pro-choice issues and endorsement of gender ideology, undermines his claim to devoutness, leading to a disillusionment among some Catholic voters.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., has notably referred to Biden as a “cafeteria Catholic,” suggesting that he selectively highlights certain aspects of the faith while disregarding or contradicting others, adding a layer of complexity to the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.