Move by Catholic bishops against Biden brings howls of hypocrisy

Catholic bishops who voted to advance an effort that could deny President Biden communion over his stance on abortion are being accused of hypocrisy by critics of the decision.

Biden, just the second Catholic U.S. president in history, regularly goes to church and touts his faith as a deeply personal aspect of his life.

Yet the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted last week to proceed with drafting a formal statement on the meaning of communion, which will include whether pro-choice politicians like Biden should be denied it.

The decision runs counter to the wishes of Pope Francis, and has put the church at the center of a roiling debate over Biden, abortion and Catholicism.