New President of US Bishops Happy to Meet Biden

November 16, 2022

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Yesterday, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the US was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

In his inaugural press conference he said he would be “happy” to meet with President Joe Biden, who has been criticized by Pope Francis in the past for his support of abortion.

When asked if he wants “to meet with the president?”, Broglio replied: “If he wants to meet with me, I’ll be happy to meet with him.”

“Well, certainly I will look forward to any occasion that I have to dialogue with political leaders in the United States. I don’t see my role as primarily political, but if there is any way to insert the Gospel into all aspects of life in our country, I certainly will not miss any occasion to do that.

I know that there has been a great desire on the part of the outgoing presidency of Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles to meet with the president and that hasn’t been possible. If it’s possible in the future, I’ll certainly take advantage of that opportunity.”

Broglio also reiterated his thoughts on sexual abuse crisis in priesthood being linked to homosexuality.

“I think it is certainly an aspect of the sexual crisis that can’t be denied. And that’s certainly not to point a finger at anyone, but I think it would be naive to suggest that there’s no relationship between the two.”

He also redirected “questions from those “who would characterize his election as showing different priorities from those of Pope Francis” to his brother bishops.

“I think you’d probably have to ask my brother bishops why they elected me because I really don’t know the answer to that question. And as far as I know, I’m certainly in communion with Pope Francis, as part of a universal Church. We’re brother bishops, we certainly know each other. I’m not aware that this necessarily indicates some dissonance with Pope Francis.”

Broglio’s three year term begins Thursday.