In a recent letter to American voters, excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò made some eyebrow-raising remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her as someone who “obeys Satan.” His comments came as part of a larger plea for voters to discern between what he describes as “democracy and dictatorship, freedom and slavery.”
Once the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S., Viganò expressed support for Donald Trump, stating that despite his flaws, Trump is committed to the common good and protecting citizens’ freedoms. He claimed that under Trump’s leadership, Catholics could freely practice their faith without government interference, contrasting this vision with what he called “Kamala Harris’ America,” where he believes Christian values would be under threat.
Viganò’s letter also critiqued the current administration, accusing Biden and Harris of fostering an environment of crime and indoctrination in schools. He starkly declared that supporting Harris would be a “very grave sin” for Catholics, arguing that neutrality in this election equates to siding with an “enemy.”
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Notably, Viganò was excommunicated by the Catholic Church months earlier for “schism,” which involves breaking away from communion with the Pope. His previous writings have raised significant alarms over corruption in the Vatican, including allegations surrounding sexual abuse and the influence of a “lavender mafia” in the clergy.
During Pope Francis’ tenure, the church has made steps towards inclusivity, acknowledging same-sex couples and addressing global issues like climate change. However, this has led to friction with more traditional church leaders, including the dismissal of some conservative voices in the U.S.
As Viganò calls on Catholics to vote, recent studies indicate a significant portion of religious individuals, including 32 million active Christians, are likely to abstain from the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Trump has claimed to have strong support among Catholic voters, though the data presents a mixed picture.
Current Polling Landscape Among Catholic Voters
In recent polls, Trump is reportedly leading among white Catholic voters in key swing states. However, a significant majority of Hispanic and Black Catholics appear to favor Harris. A poll by Pew Research indicated that while Trump had some overall support, this varied widely among different Catholic demographics, with support for Harris strong among Hispanic Catholics.
Ultimately, as the election approaches, the landscape of Catholic voter sentiment is proving to be complex and divided, presenting challenges for both candidates as they mobilize their respective bases.