As the Irish like to say, “Cheer up everyone, it’s Lent.”
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden, the first Catholic president since John F. Kennedy, will observe Ash Wednesday, the onset of Lent. This sacred day, symbolic of repentance and spiritual reflection for Catholics around the nation, is the most attended Mass day in the Catholic Church despite not being a Holy Day of Obligation.
The long-established scandal of Biden outwardly supporting abortion for decades while also publicly touting his Catholiciscm will reach an all-time high in 2024 with abortion being front and center of his reelection effort. Biden advocates for policies that contravene the core religious morals and values of his faith, notably promoting abortion which is the cornerstone of his reelection campaign.
It seems the Bill Clinton era of advocating for abortion to be 'Safe, Legal, and Rare' has decisively ended, giving way to an unrelenting campaign aimed at ensuring abortion is universally accessible—anytime, anywhere, without exception or restraint, without embarrassment, even with glee.
The Biden administration's strategic positioning of abortion at the forefront of its 2024 strategy is unmistakable, underscored by a nationwide blitz of advertisements sharply criticizing former President Trump's instrumental role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade and drawing a clear line in the sand in the ongoing cultural and political battle over abortion.
The administration has also proudly mobilized Vice President Kamala Harris to spearhead what has been dubbed the 'Reproductive Rights Tour.' This initiative signifies an effort to champion the access to abortion across the nation, placing the Vice President at the head of this contentious issue. True, the tour seeks to galvanize support amidst a deeply divided electorate but, even moreso, it’s a testament to the administration's dedication to abortion as their political sacrament.
There are others on the political Left who have voiced support for abortion by invoking religious justification. Actress Alyssa Milano, articulated her pro-abortion stance, suggested that the decision to have an abortion should involve a woman, her physician, and, you guessed it – God.
Chelsea Clinton went so far as to say it is downright ‘unchristian’ to overturn Roe v. Wade. The God card to promote abortion is nothing new but even Planned Parenthood has never used it to promote abortion at 40 weeks-term abortion.
The broken morality of Hollywood celebrities and elites perfectly aligns with the detached celebration of the barbaric nature of abortion by Biden and others on the Left. And though they cast their positions as “pro-choice” and “pro-women’s rights,” progressives don’t really care about women. They don't acknowledge that the majority of pro-life Americans are women, they often oppose legislation that would support single moms wanting free services from pregnancy centers, and they now outright deny that motherhood by pushing the anti-science garbage of “pregnant persons.”
According to a British study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, becoming a parent “leads to increases in socially conservative attitudes, and that parenthood is associated with social conservatism around the globe.” By advocating for policies that not only support but actively promote abortion, and by discouraging women from pursuing motherhood, Democrats are trying to shape the electorate to their advantage.
Rather than pursuing truly pro-women policies, the pro-abortion left wants to keep women unhappy, unmarried, and forever locked into meaningless, unfulfilling lives. The longer they stay there, the longer they clinch their votes. So, it seems Democrats have found their sweet spot: misery.
On the other hand, religion seeks to assuage human suffering. As we enter the Holy Season of Lent, examining our priorities and preparing to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior, we have an opportunity to change our lives. We can embrace His word and live more enriched, happier lives.
Of course, imperfection is a human condition shared by all. But we don’t have to revel in it, we can change, reform, and be free.
Sin and misalignment with our faith's teachings are struggles we, as humans, universally face. Yet, President Biden's fervent championing, promotion, and near veneration of abortion stand in stark contradiction not just to his professed Catholic faith, but to the very essence of the moral and ethical teachings it upholds.
This Ash Wednesday, as President Biden steps forward to receive his ashes—a symbol of repentance and humility—we need to pray for his conversion. Not in a condescending or political way, but in a real way. His words and actions for decades suggest he doesn’t take the Catholic Church’s teaching on human dignity – which aligns with the biological reality of the unborn – seriously. This is not a small issue but a large elephant in the room of his soul and everyone can see it.
Lent is the time for repentance and change for all of us, public or private because all of us have to answer once the ultimate reality takes place of “from dust you came and dust you shall return.”
Shawn Carney is President and CEO of 40 Days for Life, the world’s largest pro-life organization, and bestselling author of 4 books, including What to Say When: The Complete New Guide to Discussing Abortion. Follow on Twitter: @CarneyShawn