Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan recently discussed a conversation with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who apologized for his ‘out of line’ comments regarding immigration and the Catholic bishops’ motives. The remarks came during a February 19 interview with EWTN News, where Dolan reflected on his relationship with Vance, describing the vice president as a good person but expressing some disagreements.
Vice President Vance’s Comments on Bishops and Immigration
In a January 26, 2025, interview with CBS News, Vance criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He suggested that the bishops’ pro-immigrant stance was driven by financial incentives rather than humanitarian concerns. Vance stated, “The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has frankly not been a good partner in commonsense immigration enforcement that the American people voted for.” He emphasized the need for the bishops to reflect on the over $100 million they received for resettling illegal immigrants.
Impact of the Trump Administration’s Policies
Vance’s comments came shortly after the Trump administration suspended partnerships with the USCCB and other refugee resettlement agencies. This decision followed President Trump’s January 20, 2025, executive order halting the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. This program, established by Congress in 1980, facilitated the legal resettlement of vetted refugees.
- The USCCB was forced to lay off a third of its resettlement staff due to funding cuts.
- They filed a lawsuit against the administration seeking reimbursement for over $24 million for resettlement services.
- The litigation was voluntarily dismissed in January.
Cardinal Dolan Addresses the Apology
Cardinal Dolan recounted his direct conversation with Vance about the offensive remarks. He said, “When he suggested that bishops in the United States were pro-immigrant because we were making money, which was not only untrue, it was scurrilous — and he apologized.” Dolan emphasized Vance’s acknowledgment of his comments being ‘out of line.’
Cardinal Dolan’s Broader Reflections
During the interview, Dolan expressed agreement with Vance on several issues, such as family values and the essence of American patriotism. However, he expressed discontent with Vance’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted since Russia’s invasion in 2014. Dolan remarked on how complex public figures’ perspectives can be, highlighting that nobody achieves perfection in their views.
As a significant figure among American Catholic leaders, Cardinal Dolan’s reflections contribute to the broader dialogue on the intersection of faith, politics, and immigration policy.
