In June 2024, former president and Republican candidate for the upcoming election, Donald Trump, announced that he had chosen JD Vance as his running mate. And for the last few months, the country has been trying to find out everything they can about the controversial politician.
Many people want to know who JD Vance is and what he believes in, but specifically how he became a devout Catholic after growing up in the Evangelical Church. So, let’s find out how JD Vance found his way to the Catholic Church and how it impacts his politics.
JD Vance: The Early Years
Unlike many other politicians, JD Vance did not grow up in a wealthy, connected family. In fact, his upbringing was the complete opposite: he was raised in a working-class family in rural Appalachia.
Before becoming Trump’s running mate, Vance was best known for his first book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” in which he tells his very personal family story. After leaving the Rust Belt, Vance served in the US Marine Corps before attending Ohio State University and finally Yale Law School before becoming a lawyer and, eventually, a politician in 2022.
JD Vance Was Loosely Raised in the Evangelical Church
During his formative years in rural Kentucky, Vance’s parents loosely followed the teachings of the local evangelical church. However, he has since reported he didn’t feel particularly connected to the religion.
It wasn’t until he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2018 that Vance first visited a Roman Catholic Church. But after his first visit, the teachings and organization enthralled the potential vice president.
The Catholic Church That Changed Vance’s Life
In Cincinnati, Vance began attending services at St. Gertrude Church, led by Dominican Friars from the Province of St. Joseph. These friars have dedicated their lives not only to preaching the Catholic religion but also to teaching anyone and everyone who wants to deepen their faith.
Soon enough, Vance was taking advantage of this unique service. Instead of just visiting on Sundays, he was also engaging in private instruction from Father Henry Stephan every week.
JD Vance Engulfed Himself in Catholicism
Father Stephan and JD Vance would meet every week, sometimes for coffee, lunch, or at the church. At these meetings, the two would read and discuss theology, mysticism, moral and political philosophy, and, of course, Catholic teachings.
Then, just one year later, Vance decided he was ready to dedicate his life to the Catholic Church.
Being Baptized in the Catholic Church
When Vance was 35 years old, his mentor and teacher, Father Stephan, baptized him at St. Gertrude’s Church. At that time, he also received his first communion and celebrated his dedication among family and friends at the friar’s private chapel.
Vance was asked to choose a patron saint for his baptism, and interestingly, he selected Saint Augustine, the political theologian and author of “City of God” from the 5th century.
Vance Was Drawn to the Specific Teachings of the Church
Vance has since explained that he was drawn to Saint Augustine as his work “was the best criticism of our modern age [he’d] ever read… A society oriented entirely towards consumption and pleasure, spurning duty and virtue.”
In a larger sense, this is also what Vance received from Catholic teachings—a social order focused on family, tradition, and virtue. All of which he has since infused into his politics.
Looking for Answers
JD Vance has also been extremely open about why he felt so called to convert to Catholicism. He asked himself, “How do you be a better husband, a better man, a better father?”
“How do you build a sense of masculinity that is protective and defensive, and aggressive but isn’t just showy? Elites don’t care at all about the difference between men and women and how we need to inculcate masculine virtues and feminine virtues. But Christianity really does,” he continued.
JD Vance Is Not Shy About His Religious Beliefs
While many career politicians are often careful to ensure their religious beliefs encompass as many people as possible, JD Vance makes his personal beliefs and allegiance all too clear.
Vance has even said his Catholicism absolutely influences his politics: “My views on public policy and what the optimal state should look like are pretty aligned with Catholic social teaching.”
82% of Republicans Follow the Christian Faith
Although one might think that decidedly supporting just one religion is career suicide for an up-and-coming politician, in Vance’s case, it might actually improve his standing in his party.
According to a study by Pew Research, some 72 million Americans describe themselves as Catholic, and more than 50% of Catholics are registered Republicans. Additionally, 82% of American Republicans follow some denomination of the Christian faith.
Will People Vote for Trump and Vance Just Because of Their Religious Beliefs?
While Catholicism is undoubtedly different in many ways from the many other Christian denominations, tens of millions of Americans would still prefer a leader who is proud to announce their connection to the Christian God.
Therefore, many say that although Vance’s love and connection to the Catholic Church doesn’t seem to be a political plea, it will likely help the young politician and Trump secure their place in the White House this year.
Some Americans Fear Religion and Politics Are Becoming too Intertwined… Again
Of course, there are also millions of Americans who will see Vance’s connection to the Catholic Church as a negative attribute, and that even applies to other Catholic or Christian Americans.
Many Americans, including many with a self-proclaimed strong Christian faith, do not believe that the government should be functioning as a religious body. Christian nationalism is undoubtedly a hot-button topic, and Vance is not easing the minds of those who do not believe religion belongs in the White House.
