US president-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 9. (Photo: AFP)
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) has sent prayerful wishes and congratulations to the people of America and president-elect Joe Biden.
The bishops said the United States is entering a new phase in its glorious history, affirming democracy and universal good.
Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, president of the FABC, said Biden comes from a long tradition of Catholic-based life and his concern “for the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” is a welcome development.
He said the world looked forward to the US fortifying the global fight against global warming and poverty and hoped his tenure will pay greater attention to countries in the margins like Myanmar.
“President-elect Joe Biden’s Catholic faith will help him in his long journey of seeking economic and environmental justice for all, the themes that guide the global Catholic Church and the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference,” Cardinal Bo said in a statement on Nov. 9.
“We do hope the US will play its leadership role in the company of international organizations like the UN. Surely the president-elect will have further chances to engage the Catholic Church in building a world of peace and justice.”
He said Asian bishops have joined in the welcome address to Biden by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, in his prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for the US.
“May she help all of us to work together to fulfill the beautiful vision of America’s missionaries and founders — one nation under God where the sanctity of every human life is defended and freedom of conscience and religion are guaranteed.”
US bishops welcomed Biden as he joins the late John F. Kennedy as the second US president to profess the Catholic faith.
“Now is the time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity and to commit themselves to dialogue and compromise for the common good,” Archbishop Gomez said.
“Democracy requires that all of us conduct ourselves as people of virtue and self-discipline. It requires that we respect the free expression of opinions and that we treat one another with charity and civility, even as we might disagree deeply in our debates on matters of law and public policy.”