Since becoming the Republican vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance’s religious beliefs have faced scrutiny. Vance, a Catholic convert, holds policy positions typical of American Catholic conservatives: opposing abortion, supporting traditional family structures, and showing skepticism toward liberal immigration policies and climate change efforts. He also supports economic tariffs.
Vance and Catholic Integralism
There are reports suggesting Vance’s association with Catholic Integralism, though he has not publicly addressed these claims. Catholic Integralism asserts that spiritual and temporal aspects of life should be integrated with the spiritual guiding government policies. Integralists believe that religious values, especially Christian ones, should influence government decisions.
Divergent Views Within Catholic Integralism
Catholic Integralists disagree on how to achieve this integration. Some advocate for Christians, especially Catholics, to take advisory roles in government. Others propose a comprehensive societal organization based on Christian principles. Integralists uniformly oppose liberalism, which centers on individual liberty, consent of the governed, and equality before the law. They criticize liberalism for prioritizing individualism over community values and arguing that it fails to create a meaningful social order.
Criticisms and Contradictions
Critics, including those within the Catholic Church, argue that Catholic Integralism is unworkable and unreasonable. The Vatican II document Dignitatis Humanae advocates for religious liberty for all, not just Catholics, which contradicts some Integralists’ views. Critics also highlight the necessity of cooperation among diverse individuals in society, which Catholic Integralism overlooks.
Policy Implications
Some of Vance’s policy positions align with Catholic Integralist views, such as opposing immigration to maintain a homogeneous society with shared values. His recent call to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors reflects a belief in adhering to “natural law,” as defined by the Catholic Church.
Future Implications
Currently, Catholic Integralism interests a minority of Catholic academics and political conservatives. If Vance is elected, his stance on these beliefs will be closely watched to see if he clarifies or expands his apparent connections to Catholic Integralism.
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