Bishop Apologizes for Calling President Biden 'Stupid' During Talk on Forgiveness

Bishop Robert Gruss of Saginaw, Michigan, issued an apology on Friday for referring to President Joe Biden as "stupid" during a talk titled "Forgiveness as the Heart of Christianity" on April 5, 2023. The bishop's remarks, which were posted on the Saginaw Diocese's YouTube account, suggested that Biden, a fellow Catholic, "asserts doesn't understand the Catholic faith" and is "not living the life Jesus wants for him."

In his apology statement, Bishop Gruss argued that his comments were taken out of context and that he was speaking in the context of forgiving the president and other political leaders who may offend us. He acknowledged that his employment of the word "stupid" was poor judgment and not meant to be disparaging. The bishop said he will continue to pray for the president and all political leaders, encouraging people of all faiths and goodwill to do the same for the nation.

During the presentation, Bishop Gruss had shared his own experience of struggling to forgive his alcoholic father but ultimately finding peace and reconciliation through the act of forgiveness. He emphasized that forgiveness is necessary for true freedom and joy, not just in individual relationships but also in our relationships with institutions like the Church and government.

The bishop's initial comments elicited laughter from some audience members. However, Jesuit priest and publicist Thomas Reese criticized the remarks, stating that it is "impolite and disrespectful" to call the President of the United States "stupid."

Why this matters: The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Catholic Church and the Biden administration over issues such as abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights. It also underscores the challenges of fostering unity and respect in an increasingly polarized political and religious landscape.

Bishop Gruss is not the only Catholic clergy member to take issue with President Biden's stance on issues seen as antithetical to Church teachings. The bishops have repeatedly clashed with Biden on the abortion issue, with some conservative prelates questioning whether politicians who support abortion rights should be allowed to receive communion. In his apology, Bishop Gruss reiterated his commitment to fostering unity and respect, even in the face of referring to disagreements.

Key Takeaways

• Bishop Gruss apologized for calling Biden "stupid" during a talk on forgiveness.
• Gruss said his comments were taken out of context and not meant to be disparaging.
• Gruss emphasized the need for forgiveness, not just in personal but also political relationships.
• The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Catholic Church and Biden administration.
• Gruss reiterated his commitment to fostering unity and respect despite disagreements.