Archbishop McElroy Delivers Strong Criticism of Trump Administration
Known as the Most Progressive Figure in the U.S. Church
"People Are Even Afraid to Come to Church"
Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington DC, strongly criticized the Trump administration's deportation of immigrants, calling it "inhumane and morally repugnant." Yonhap News reported on July 3 (local time) that Archbishop McElroy gave an interview to CNN. In the interview, Archbishop McElroy stated, "The Trump administration is indiscriminately deporting immigrants regardless of age or gender," and pointed out, "This goes against Catholic doctrine."
Archbishop McElroy said, "After the government eliminated the regulation that prohibited the arrest of immigrants in sensitive places like churches, people are now even afraid to come to church," adding, "In the past, when the Irish, Italians, and Poles came to America, there were repeated claims that they were 'inferior people,' and the same thing is happening now. It is a cruel act."
Regarding Vice President JD Vance's claim that "the church is criticizing the government's immigration policy because it can no longer receive government funding to help immigrants settle," Archbishop McElroy countered, "The government funding was woefully inadequate to begin with." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decided last April not to renew its refugee resettlement support agreement with the federal government after the Trump administration reduced the refugee resettlement program. Vice President Vance, a Catholic convert, also criticized the bishops' conference last January, claiming that it used as much as $100 million in government funding to support undocumented immigrants.
In this interview, Archbishop McElroy also criticized President Trump's tax cut bill, which passed both the House and Senate. He said, "Because of this bill, millions of people will ultimately lose their health insurance, while billionaires will enjoy even greater tax cuts," arguing, "A society that takes from the poorest to give to the richest is fundamentally wrong." Regarding the US airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities, he expressed concern, saying, "This is a critical time for nuclear non-proliferation," and added, "I am afraid that countries may learn the lesson that if they possess nuclear weapons, they will not be attacked in this way."
Archbishop McElroy also emphasized the need to expand the role of women in the church. He said, "What matters is to look at where women are absent and ask why," adding, "Although there is controversy within the church about the ordination of women as deacons, I believe it is important to move in that direction."
Appointed Archbishop of Washington DC earlier this year, prior to the passing of Pope Francis, Archbishop McElroy is considered the most progressive among American cardinals. He is known to be close to Pope Leo XIV. Last May, he described the election of Pope Leo XIV as "a moment of great grace for the church."
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