(ProsperNews.net) – President Joe Biden, who identifies as Catholic, privately awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, on Wednesday, sparking intense criticism from pro-life advocates and Catholic organizations. Richards, who led the organization from 2006 to 2018, oversaw millions of abortions during her tenure, according to pro-life groups.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States and is awarded at the president’s discretion to individuals for their contributions to the nation. In a statement posted on X, Biden praised Richards for her advocacy, particularly in the areas of reproductive rights, equality, and mobilizing voters.
“Today, I had the honor of awarding Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom. With absolute courage, she fearlessly leads us forward to be the America we say we are – a nation of freedom,” Biden wrote. “Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote, she has carved an inspiring legacy.”
The ceremony was not listed on Biden’s public schedule and was conducted without media presence, according to the Washington Times. The event’s secrecy and Richards’ controversial legacy have drawn significant backlash, particularly from Catholic and pro-life groups.
Richards was at the helm of Planned Parenthood during a period marked by significant controversy. The organization faced accusations of illegally harvesting and selling fetal tissue, allegations that it has consistently denied. Richards resigned in 2018 but has remained an outspoken advocate for abortion rights. She revealed earlier this year that she has been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.
Critics have long accused Biden of hypocrisy, pointing to his support for abortion policies as inconsistent with Catholic doctrine. In 2019, a priest in South Carolina denied Biden Holy Communion over his stance on abortion, which contradicts the Church’s teachings.
Pro-life organizations expressed outrage over the decision to honor Richards. The American Life League posted on social media, “You can’t be Catholic and give awards to Planned Parenthood CEOs.” C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League, condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of faith.
“At the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, mass murderers received a just penalty for their crimes against humanity. In Joe Biden’s America, a mass murderer has just been given the country’s highest award,” Doyle said in a statement. “How any priest or prelate at Washington’s Saint Matthew’s Cathedral can give a moral monster like Biden Holy Communion staggers the imagination.”
Richards, who has encouraged women to openly share their abortion experiences, has continued to advocate for what she describes as reproductive freedom. Speaking at the Democratic National Convention earlier this year, she called women “unstoppable” when they have the ability to terminate pregnancies.
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