Cardinal Dolan fires back at VP J.D. Vance over immigration policy comments
Cardinal Dolan v. J.D. Vance over immigration
Vice President J.D. Vance is facing backlash from the Catholic Church, including New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, over comments he made criticizing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Vance suggested that the Church’s opposition to certain Trump administration immigration policies was financially motivated, a claim Cardinal Dolan called "scurrilous" and "not true." FOX 5's Sharon Crowley has the story.
Less than a week after sharing the inauguration stage, Timothy Cardinal Dolan is pushing back against Vice President J.D. Vance, after the latter criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who do not support all of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Trump's immigration crackdown sparks dispute
What we know:
Vance, a Catholic convert, has accused the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops of resettling "illegal immigrants" to receive federal funding. This prompted backlash from New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who called Vance’s remarks "scurrilous" and "nasty."
Vance justified the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown by citing a medieval Catholic concept known as "ordo amoris," which he claims establishes a hierarchy of care—prioritizing family, neighbors, and fellow citizens before addressing global needs.
Cardinal Dolan pushed back, calling Vance’s remarks "scurrilous" and "nasty." He defended the bishops' financial integrity, stating, "You think we make money caring for the immigrants? We're losing it hand over fist."
The other side:
Several scholars argue that Vance is misinterpreting "ordo amoris" and that Catholic teaching actually emphasizes aiding strangers in urgent need. They cite historical theological interpretations, including those of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, who recognized the necessity of helping those in great distress regardless of proximity.
Short honeymoon for Catholics in D.C.
The backstory:
The dispute arose after Catholic bishops opposed a Trump executive order that allows ICE agents to remove undocumented immigrants from "sensitive locations" such as schools and churches. This policy shift, part of the administration's broader immigration crackdown, has faced strong resistance from religious organizations, including the Catholic Church.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has applauded many of Trump’s executive orders, including those supporting school choice, restricting federal support for gender transitions, and limiting foreign aid to organizations that provide or promote abortion.
Vance defends stance
What they're saying:
Vance has continued to defend his stance, saying on Fox News, "You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country. Then after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world."
Harvard law professor Adrian Vermeule supported Vance, saying, "You know you’re in a postliberal order when high elected leaders explain their views in terms of political theology." Others, such as Jesuit theologian David Hollenbach, argue that Vance misreads Catholic doctrine, citing the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan to emphasize aiding those in urgent need.
What's next:
The controversy comes as Cardinal Dolan celebrates his 75th birthday. Under Church law, bishops must submit their resignations at this age, but it is up to Pope Francis to decide when to accept it. A Vatican spokesperson indicated that this process could take days, weeks, months, or even years.
The Source: This article was written using material from The Associated Press and from FOX 5 crews and reporters.