JD Vance’s Catholic Conversion Reflects Young Conservative Movement

JD Vance, the Ohio senator and vice-presidential nominee, has become a striking figure within the young conservative movement, not only due to his political perspectives but also in reference to his religious transformation. Raised within the confines of an evangelical background, with a brief phase of atheism, Vance shocked many when he announced his conversion to Catholicism in 2019.

Attraction to Catholicism

While his beloved grandmother had a skeptical view on organized religion, Vance found himself drawn to the hierarchy and intellectual rigor of Catholicism, not to mention the extensive history that traces back over two millennia. His conversion mirrors a similar trajectory among a cohort of young conservative figures who are increasingly embracing institutional religion, often sidestepping the general trend of young Americans rejecting it.

Young conservatives see Catholicism as a bastion of stability and assuredness in an elusively unstable world. The relevance of this faith is manifest in the growing popularity of pre-Vatican II-style masses that feature Latin sermons, veiling among women, and conservative theological views.

The Philosophy of Doubt and Ancientness

Vance, in his quest for faith, sought a philosophy that acknowledges doubt, reconciles with scientific advancements like the theory of evolution, and at the same time stems from an “ancient” origin. His fascination and respect for the age-old Catholic Church resonated with his view of the modern world as fleeting and in constant flux.

However, Vance’s Catholic beliefs tend to align with Catholic teachings in limited ways, often contrasting with views held by other prominent Catholics, including President Biden. Vance’s support for the death penalty in certain cases, his drive to bolster fossil fuels, his ambition to deport millions of immigrants, and his resistance to government programs aiding the poor, lay contrarily to the teachings of his adopted faith.

Catholicism and The Young Conservative Movement

Experts argue that the wave of conversions among young people reflects a desire for traditional religious systems that serve as cultural anchors against perceived threats posed by identity politics, overconsumption, and rampant materialism. The religious conversions of public figures like Vance predate, and perhaps inspired, their political careers, offering an engaging perspective of the relationship between institutional religion and politics.

The impact of this younger generation of conservative Catholic converts on policy remains uncertain. It’s a diverse group with various goals. But it’s clear that they differ from the conservative economic policies emphasized by older, prominent Catholic political figures from the Reagan and Bush eras. In Vance’s perspective, Catholicism mirrors messages spanning both sides of the political spectrum. He contends that the future of social conservatism necessitates a broader vision of political economy and the common good.

Pushback from the Catholic Community

While their numbers may be growing, this group of converts, Vance included, has not been exempt from criticism from other Catholics. In particular, critics focus on Vance’s stance on immigration, urging him to address the rhetoric and policies promulgated by the Trump administration, which they consider nativist and even racist.

The Catholic Church posits that the dignity and rights of an individual remain unaltered by their political standing and immigration status, highlighting a clear division within the Catholic community on this polarizing issue.

Conclusion

Vance’s journey from a nominally evangelical background to Catholic conversion reflects the complex dynamics of modern American religion. His ability to negotiate both evangelical and Catholic ideologies depicts a figure poised to unify varying factions of conservatives around a shared social conservatism. Vance, much like his fellow conservative Catholic converts, signifies a paradigm shift within the political landscape of the United States, the depth and impact of which continues to unfold.