Editor’s note: As The Catholic Virginian went to press, President Donald Trump had not conceded the election.
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The bishop of the Delaware Catholic diocese where the nation’s future 46th president has worshipped for decades offered his congratulations Nov. 8, as well as hopes that voters set aside political differences and heed the Gospel’s call for unity.
“Today I congratulate President- elect (Joe) Biden. We all must pray for the president-elect and President (Donald) Trump during this time of transition and we look to the future with hope that as one nation under God, we will continue be a beacon of freedom and prosperity to the world,” said Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington, Delaware, in a statement.
“No matter where we might fall on the political spectrum, we must seize this moment as an opportunity to begin to heal the crippling divisions in our great nation,” he said. “These fractures were forged over decades and reconciliation will take time and patience.”
The Catholic Health Association of the United States, through its CEO and president, Mercy Sister Mary Haddad, offered prayers “for the renewal of cooperation.”
“As people of faith, we join the voices of those working to unify our country and look forward to working with the new administration to promote the common good for all,” said Sister Haddad. “We take great pride that upon his inauguration, he will be the second Catholic ever elected to the highest office in the country. “
She offered cooperation from the organization in dealing with tasks ahead, citing the “profound crisis” of the coronavirus pandemic that has left more than 237,000 dead in the U.S. and millions unemployed.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said that “as we now have the results of the election, it is good to remember that our strength in America lies in our unity.”
“We commend all who had the courage to compete in the electoral process and participate in our democracy,” the cardinal said. “We pray that the Lord will enlighten and sustain those elected in their service to all the people of our country.
“Let us also ask God to free our hearts of regrets and resentments, of pride and contemptuousness. Particularly in this time of pandemic, we must set aside whatever partisan concerns have divided us and turn our energy and passion to serving the common good.”