January 19, 2026
Three U.S. Catholic cardinals condemn Trump's Greenland and Venezuela actions
Church leaders question moral foundation of U.S. military threats
🌍Foreign Policy🎭Religion & Culture
On Jan. 19, 2026, Cardinals Blase Cupich (Chicago), Robert McElroy (Washington), and Joseph Tobin (Newark) issued a joint statement condemning Trump's military actions. The statement specifically criticized military action in Venezuela, threats to acquire Greenland, and cuts in foreign aid. The cardinals represent archdioceses serving 4.2 million Catholics and include some of the most influential voices in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.
Cardinal Robert McElroy told the Associated Press: 'Most of the United States and the world are adrift morally in terms of foreign policy. I still believe the United States has a tremendous impact upon the world.' The statement warned that without a moral vision, U.S. foreign policy was mired in 'polarization, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests.' This marked the second time in two months that senior U.S. Catholic leaders directly rebuked Trump.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the Archdiocese for Military Services serving 1.8 million Catholics in the U.S. military, said it 'would be morally acceptable' for troops to disobey orders that go against their conscience. This statement came as Trump ramped up military threats against Greenland and Venezuela. Broglio's position gives moral permission for service members to refuse orders they deem unjust.
The cardinals echoed 
Pope Leo XIV's recent warnings about the resurgence of 'zeal for warmaking.' Pope Leo XIV personally called Danish religious leaders in early Jan. to express solidarity amid Trump's Greenland threats. The Vatican has expressed alarm at Trump's territorial ambitions and use of military threats against democratic allies.
Catholic social teaching includes 'just war theory,' which sets strict conditions for moral use of military force: just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality, and reasonable chance of success. The cardinals implicitly invoked these criteria, suggesting Trump's territorial ambitions and resource seizures fail just war tests. The tradition dating to Augustine and Aquinas provides moral framework for evaluating military threats.
With 52 million U.S. Catholics (16% of the population), and Catholics comprising 25% of Congress, the church's moral authority carries political weight. The three cardinals leading major archdioceses (Chicago: 2.2 million Catholics, Washington: 630,000, Newark: 1.4 million) plus the military services archbishop create a coalition representing both civilian and military Catholic communities.
This marks escalating tension between the Catholic hierarchy and Trump. In Dec. 2025, bishops criticized Trump's immigration enforcement. Now senior cardinals are questioning the morality of his foreign policy. The coordinated statement signals institutional opposition, not isolated dissent. Pope Francis elevated McElroy and Tobin to cardinal specifically for their social justice advocacy.
🌍Foreign Policy🎭Religion & Culture
People, bills, and sources
Cardinal Blase Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago
Cardinal Robert McElroy
Archbishop of Washington
Cardinal Joseph Tobin
Archbishop of Newark
Archbishop Timothy Broglio
Archbishop for Military Services
Pope Leo XIV
Head of the Catholic Church
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Pope Francis
Former Pope (elevated McElroy and Tobin)
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supporting their moral critique of Trump's military threats
The three cardinals represent institutional Catholic opposition. Amplifying their moral critique strengthens religious voices against militarism
I'm calling to support the three cardinals' Jan. 19 statement on Trump's foreign policy.
Key points:
- Cardinals Cupich, McElroy, and Tobin condemned military threats
- They represent 4+ million Catholics
- Archbishop Broglio said troops can disobey morally unacceptable orders
- Catholic just war teaching provides criteria Trump's actions fail
Questions:
- Will the USCCB formally endorse the cardinals' critique?
- What actions is the conference taking to oppose military threats?
Request: I want the USCCB to formally support the cardinals' statement and provide moral guidance to Catholic military personnel.
Thank you.
2
civic action
Support organizations providing conscience-based counseling to military personnel
Archbishop Broglio said troops can disobey unjust orders. Service members need legal and spiritual resources
3
understanding
Share the cardinals' statement with Catholic communities and military families
With 52 million U.S. Catholics and 1.8 million in military, spreading the critique counters Trump's narrative
4
civic action
Contact your representative demanding congressional oversight on military threats
Cardinals condemned Trump's military threats against Greenland and Venezuela. Congress has constitutional war powers and can hold hearings on unauthorized use of force
Hi, I'm calling to demand oversight hearings on Trump's military threats.
Key points:
- Three U.S. cardinals representing 4+ million Catholics condemned Trump's threats
- Archbishop Broglio said troops can disobey morally unacceptable orders
- Trump threatened military force against Greenland (NATO ally Denmark) and Venezuela
- Congress has constitutional war powers
Questions:
- Will you demand hearings on Trump's military threat authority?
- What constitutional basis exists for threatening force against allies?
Request: Use Congress's war powers to investigate and constrain unauthorized military threats.
Thank you.