Patrick Rupinen, Guest Writer 

A disturbing trend that I have noticed over the past few years is the abandonment of key Catholic teaching by predominantly conservative Catholics. The key Catholic teaching of the belief in the dignity of human life has seemingly been abandoned by conservative Catholics like JD Vance. The best example of this can be seen in the treatment of migrants by the Republican party. While JD Vance has made statements himself that are contrary to Catholic teachings, it is his acts of silent complacency that are the most damning.

A clear and flagrant act of reckless disregard for human life the Trump administration seems determined to continue in the US is the building of barriers in the Rio Grande River. By building barriers in the river, they are guaranteeing that there will be more deaths, and any attempt to cross the river, which is already a dangerous endeavor, has been made even more perilous. JD Vance has failed to act on his duty as a Catholic to speak out against injustice and wrongdoing, but as a convert he maybe never learned about this. Maybe he never heard the stories of St Oscar Romero or the Priests of Auschwitz men who were willing to die rather than be silent in the face evil. Finally, these barriers clearly violate the Catholic social teaching that a country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy. I must say I’m not a theologian, but letting children drown in rivers does not seem to be merciful or just.

More recently, Trump has signed executive orders that restrict the ability of migrants to apply for asylum, allow ICE agents to invade churches and schools and ban the entry of refugees into the U.S. This of course has been condemned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. JD Vance, seeing the US Bishops voicing their condemnation of the president, decided to come to the president’s aid, claiming that the U.S. Bishops were not good partners in matters regarding immigration, and that they want the money from resettling illegal immigrants. This is untrue; the Catholic Bishops pointed out that they lose money when they support the resettling of immigrants. JD Vance’s criticism goes against the Catholic social teaching that people have a right to immigrate to sustain their family.

The biggest flaw in the potential argument against immigration is that immigrants cause crime — they don’t. This makes the whole argument that we need to crack down on immigration to protect our country pointless. And while on the topic of arguments that are wrong, one can’t help but mention JD Vance’s use of Ordo Amoris. He seems to have a complete misunderstanding of what it means. While one should care for their family, we as Catholics have duty to care for those most in need first. This of course was reinforced by Pope Francis in his recent letter to the Bishops in the United States. I’ve got to give it to JD Vance — it takes a lot for a Pope to publicly say you’re wrong. The Pope’s letter clearly lays out that we as Catholics have a responsibility to look out for vulnerable migrants who are fleeing violence and crippling poverty. It is our duty to uphold the dignity of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable.

JD Vance has willingly or ignorantly failed to uphold his duty as Catholic. He has been warned by the US Bishops and now by the Pope of this failure. I hope he heeds their warnings, and I hope and pray that he has his “Road to Damascus” moment and changes his ways.