The leader of the United States Catholic bishops' conference has published a statement of congratulations addressed to President-elect Donald Trump following his winning the 2024 US presidential election in the early hours of 6 November.
The statement focuses on the role of democracy in the nation, the importance of transitioning from campaigning to governing and of the peaceful transfer of power, and on the need to treat people with respect despite disagreements over public policy.
“In the United States, we are fortunate to live in a democracy, and yesterday Americans went to the polls to choose who should lead our country as the next President of the United States,” Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for Military Services, who is also president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in the 6 November statement.
“I congratulate President-elect Trump, as well as the national, state and local officials who campaigned to represent the people,” Broglio said.
“Now, we move from campaigning to governing. We rejoice in our ability to transition peacefully from one government to the next.”
As was the case with the congratulatory <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2020/president-us-bishops-conference-issues-statement-2020-presidential-election"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">statement</mark></a> to President Joe Biden from Archbishop José Gomez on 7 November 2020, Broglio’s statement doesn’t touch on any of the issues that will be a priority for the leaders of the US Catholic Church when working with the forthcoming Trump administration.
Instead, in addition to the sentiments about democracy, Broglio’s statement highlights that neither the Catholic Church nor the bishops’ conference is aligned with any political party. He emphasised that the conference looks forward to working with all elected representatives on Capitol Hill.
“No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church’s teachings remain unchanged, and we bishops look forward to working with the people’s elected representatives to advance the common good of all,” Broglio said.
“As Christians, and as Americans, we have the duty to treat each other with charity, respect and civility, even if we may disagree on how to carry out matters of public policy."
He added that a nation blessed with many gifts must also “be concerned for those outside our borders and eager to offer assistance to all”.
In closing, he offered a prayer for the president-elect.
“Let us pray for President-elect Trump, as well as all leaders in public life, that they may rise to meet the responsibilities entrusted to them as they serve our country and those whom they represent,” Broglio said.
“Let us ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the patroness of our nation, that she guide to uphold the common good of all and promote the dignity of the human person, especially the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn, the poor, the stranger, the elderly and infirm, and migrants.”
<a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/trump-triumphs-and-returns-to-the-white-house-with-a-catholic-vice-president/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color"><strong><em>RELATED: Trump triumphs and returns to the White House with a Catholic vice president</em></strong></mark></a>
<em>Photo: Televised footage of former President Donald Trump addressing his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, as the news channel displays info that shows him closing in on the required number of electoral college votes to secure victory in the US presidential election, 6 November 2024. (Photo by LAURENT CARON/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.)</em>