John Kerry in Biden and Catholicism, by Massimo Faggioli

On Principles & Values: Tried to separate politics and faith on culture war issues

Kerry opted for a strategy similar to that of Kennedy in 1960. In an interview with "Time"" he explicitly cited Kennedy's separationism: "We have a separation of church and state in this country. As Kennedy said very clearly, I will be a president who happens to be Catholic, not a Catholic president." Kerry refused to defend his Catholicism in the face of harsh criticism and to articulate the distinction between private and political stances, even on the issue of abortion, based on prudential rather ideological considerations.

His separationist strategy did not work, partly because the presidential vote in some states took place besides a referendum on same-sex marriage, which highlighted the difference between the two candidates, Kerry, and George W. Bush, on central culture war issues.

Source: Biden and Catholicism, by Massimo Faggioli, p. 41-42 Jan 20, 2021

The above quotations are from Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States by Massimo Faggioli. Click here for other excerpts from Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States by Massimo Faggioli. Click here for other excerpts by John Kerry. Click here for a profile of John Kerry.
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Page last updated: Nov 25, 2021