LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – When President Joe Biden was observed making the sign of the cross in Tampa, FL on April 23, he did so against the backdrop of one of the nation’s most contentious issues—abortion. This symbolic gesture, deeply meaningful in the Catholic Christian tradition, has incited reactions nationwide, and Michigan is no exception.

During the rally, Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried, said in a live TV broadcast, “Fifteen weeks wasn’t good enough; we had to go to six weeks,” referencing Florida’s six-week abortion ban. As she spoke, Biden made the sign of the cross, which appeared to signal his support for the six-week ban. 

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The sign of the cross, a gesture symbolizing belief in the Holy Trinity, is a foundational aspect of Christian identity and worship. It is used by many as a prayer, a blessing, and a way to show reverence during worship. 

In addition, the Catholic Church maintains a firm pro-life stance, teaching that life begins at conception and that each life is inherently sacred. Therefore, when Biden, a practicing Catholic, made the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rally, it was perceived by some as a direct challenge to the Church’s authority and its teachings.

“Invoking God’s blessing in connection with the horrible reality of abortion is both a scandal and a sacrilege,” Richard Budd, director of marriage & family life for the Diocese of Lansing, said. “Anyone who has been involved in abortion is called to both healing and forgiveness as found in the merciful love of God the Father.”

Specifically, The timing of Biden’s gesture coincides with the Vatican’s release of “Dignitas Infinita,” a document that reiterates the Catholic Church’s stance on the dignity of human life and its relevance to contemporary social issues. The treatise, grounded in long-standing Catholic social teaching, calls for a deeper understanding of human dignity beyond political and social divides.

Beyond internal Church discourse, the use of the sign of the cross at such an event impacts how Christianity is perceived by the broader public. It can lead to misunderstandings about the Church’s positions on key issues, potentially causing confusion about Christian morality or even scandal.

While delivering a commencement address at Benedictine College on May 15, Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, criticized Biden and pro-choice Catholics: “Our own nation is led by a man who proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of The Cross during a pro-abortion rally” … “Being Catholic alone does not cut it” … “We need to stop pretending that the ‘church of nice’ is a winning proposition.”

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Michigan’s political landscape adds another layer to the discussion. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a vocal pro-abortion advocate, has consistently supported abortion rights, aligning with Biden’s stance. 

Moreover, Whitmer’s administration has taken significant steps to expand abortion access, positioning Michigan as a battleground state for abortion rights. In 2022, for example, Michigan voters approved Proposal 3, which enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution. This decision followed intense campaigning from both pro-abortion rights and anti-abortion groups, reflecting the divide within the state. To this end, the approval of Proposal 3 has made Michigan one of the states with the most robust protections for abortion rights.

As Michigan grapples with the implications of Biden’s gesture, the incident opens up broader discussions about the intersection of faith and the ongoing national discourse on abortion rights.

Michigan News Source reached out to more than a dozen pregnancy resource centers, but none could provide a comment at this time.