Bishop Olmsted’s Statement on the Inauguration of President Biden

January 20, 2021 | En Español

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, released today the following statement on the inauguration of President Biden:

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

Today I join in prayer with Archbishop Gomez for President Biden as he begins his role as President of the United States. He takes on this task amid many troubles and tensions in our culture and world. It is my firm hope that the God who speaks to every human heart will strengthen him and give him wisdom for the years ahead.

I gratefully support Archbishop Gomez’s statement to President Biden, which speaks powerfully to our role as bishops and, more fundamentally, Catholics in this historic moment. Indeed, as bishops we are committed to work with every elected official and government beyond partisan dichotomies for the good of our brothers and sisters across the country. There likely will be strong disagreements and shared passionate goals with President Biden and his administration, as there has been with every administration, but I pray that this work will be fruitful. As did the Good Samaritan, Christ humbled Himself and came into our world to care for the broken and defenseless. So, we, as His followers, desire to labor side by side with all people of goodwill to anoint a wounded world with the oil of love and the wine of fraternity.

Rooted in the Good News that Christ died and rose again, confident that this power of new life is still at work in the world, we proclaim the truths that He has revealed through His Word and His Church with the integrity required of this role. “Thus, should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1). So as we engage with secular authorities and teach our people, we seek to offer guiding principles and form consciences that our work may be truly that of healing.

Essential in these principles is the right to life of every human person. The tragedy of abortion remains for the U.S. bishops the “preeminent priority,” for the dignity of the human person is damaged at every level of this act. Millions of unborn lives have been lost, women scarred, and families broken. This damage is happening at a higher rate in minority communities and for those children that would be born with disabilities. Thus, our desire for fraternity and solidarity demands that we call for justice for all who have suffered and all who are at risk from abortion.

Therefore, it is my prayer and sincere request that President Biden hear the cry of the poor and work with Church leaders to craft just policies that respect the right to life, the needs of parents, and the essential role that families play in the health of our country. Healing is possible. If we can work together in the light of Jesus Christ, His grace will be sufficient to bring new life to a fractured and alienated people.

Entrusting ourselves into the hands of our Heavenly Father who probes every mind and heart, we commit ourselves again to prayer and cooperation. May the Lord in His love and goodness guide President Biden with His grace that he may strive to build up the common good of all people, especially the most vulnerable, in our country.