On the day former President Donald Trump successfully won the 2024 presidential election, the leader of the U.S. bishops published a statement of congratulations to the president-elect that focused on the importance of the nation’s democracy.
“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, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a Nov. 6 statement.
“I congratulate President-elect Trump, as well as the national, state, and local officials who campaigned to represent the people,” said Archbishop Broglio, who also leads the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA. “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 statement to President Joe Biden from Archbishop José Gomez in 2020, Archbishop Broglio’s statement doesn’t touch on the issues that are a priority for the leaders of the American Church to work on with the Trump administration.
Instead, in addition to the sentiment on the nation’s democracy, Archbishop Broglio’s statement highlights that the Catholic Church is not aligned with any political party, and neither is the USCCB. He added 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,” Archbishop 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, noting 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,” Archbishop Broglio said. “Let us ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the patroness of our nation, that she guide us 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 stronger, the elderly and infirm, and migrants.”