Vance reflects on social media, respect for clergy, communication at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

CV NEWS FEED // Vice President JD Vance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Feb. 28 encouraged attendees to both engage more with the administration and ensure they respect Church leaders, especially in light of the age of social media.

While it may come as a surprise to people, Vance said that he lives “in a bubble” so he welcomes it when people voice their concerns to the administration. He vowed that the Trump-Vance administration will always listen to people of faith and conscience.

“You have an open door to the Trump Administration even — and especially, maybe — when you disagree with us,” Vance said. “So please use that opportunity, communicate with us when we get things right, but also when we get things wrong, and that is my solemn obligation, but also my request.”

When Vance first noted in his speech that he is a convert to Catholicism, people applauded.

“I appreciate you guys clapping, because it turns out there’s some people on the internet who don’t like Catholic converts,” Vance said. “And in fact there are some Catholics who appear not to like Catholic converts. I’ve learned that the hard way, but of course the gross majority of my brothers and sisters in Christ have been incredibly welcoming and incredibly charitable, and for that I am grateful.”

Vance acknowledged that “sometimes the bishops don’t like what I say” in the public sphere. Rather than fire back any particular criticism of the bishops, however, he admonished Catholics on both sides of the political aisle to avoid “obsessing” over every pronouncement that comes from spiritual leaders in the Church. He also encouraged fostering respect for clergy and appreciation for their guidance, without getting involved in every dispute.

In certain instances, he added, it is best to let the controversies “play out a little bit and try to live our faith as best we can under the dictates of our faith and under the dictates of our spiritual leaders.”

He went on to acknowledge Pope Francis’ recent criticism of some of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Here again, Vance did not counter the Pope, but rather warned against dragging him into American political controversies and being overly reactive to viral clips or statements.

“It’s not in the best interest of any of us, again, to treat the religious leaders of our faith as just another social media influencer,” Vance said. “And I think frankly that goes in both ways, if I can be so bold.”

“I think it’s incumbent upon our religious leaders to recognize that in the era of social media, people will hang on every single word that they utter,” Vance continued, “even if that wasn’t their intention, and even if a given declaration wasn’t meant for consumption in the social media age.”

Vance shared that he has been praying with his children for the health of Pope Francis every day since he learned about the pontiff’s illness, despite the pontiff’s recent public disagreement with the administration.

“I say a prayer for the Holy Father,” Vance said, “because while yes, I was certainly surprised when he criticized our immigration policy in the way that he has, I also know that the Pope – I believe that the Pope is fundamentally a person who cares about the flock of Christians under his leadership, and he’s a man who cares about the spiritual direction of the faith.”

He later led everyone present in a prayer for Pope Francis’ health and comfort.