Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says he no longer attends church because his “personal ethics are enough.”
During an interview with BBC News, Fauci told host Kathy Kay there were numerous “negative aspects” about the church altogether. Though Fauci maintained that there were problems within the church, he claimed he identifies as a Catholic.
As the two walked together, Fauci pointed out the Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart at Georgetown University, where he and his wife, Christine, were married.
“There’s Dahlgren Chapel where Chris and I were married,” Fauci told Kay, to which she commented on the beauty of the chapel before asking him if he still attended church there.
Anthony Fauci explains that although he identifies as Catholic, his “personal ethics on life” are so strong that he has no need to practice the religion. “It seems like a pro forma thing that I don’t really need to do.” pic.twitter.com/r5YbCs2gbM
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) December 9, 2023
“You don’t practice anymore, do you?” Kay asked Fauci after he revealed that he did not attend church at the chapel anymore. “Why?”
“A number of complicated reasons,” Fauci told Kay, as she asked him to continue, pointing out that they had “a whole corridor” to walk down.
Fauci explained how his “own personal ethics in life” were “enough” to guide him and keep him “going on the right path” in life.
“I think there are enough negative aspects about the organizational church,” Fauci added. “That you are very well aware of. I’m not against it. I identify myself as a Catholic. I was raised, I was baptized, I was confirmed, I was married in the church. My children were baptized in the church. But, as far as practicing it, it seems almost like a pro forma thing that I don’t really need to do.”
Fauci’s comments were met with a wave of criticism with some people pointing out that Fauci viewed “himself as God.”
“Because he sees himself as God,” actor Matthew Marsden wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Because he sees himself as God. https://t.co/8YggFZg2Qc
— Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden) December 10, 2023
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” Rep. Austin Smith (R-Ariz.) wrote in a post on X.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” https://t.co/NXCxGByE5V
— Rep. Austin Smith (@azaustinsmith) December 11, 2023
“Of course he doesn’t practice Catholicism, Fauci is an evil elf who worships only himself,” Buck Sexton, one of the co-hosts of “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” wrote.
Of course he doesn’t practice Catholicism, Fauci is an evil elf who worships only himself https://t.co/YT4kJZOfbV
— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) December 11, 2023
Sean Southard, the director of the Kentucky Republican Party, pointed out Fauci’s “answer could have” been a “great opportunity” for him to “share the magnificence of the Church and the beauty of God entering the world as a child.”
“Instead, he belittles the liturgy,” Southard added. “Sad.”
During this Christmas season, his answer could have a been a great opportunity to share the magnificence of the Church and the beauty of God entering the world as a child.
— Sean Southard (@SeanSouthardKY) December 10, 2023
Instead, he belittles the liturgy. Sad. https://t.co/Ue3MTDm2WU
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci received a large amount of criticism regarding his recommendations regarding social distancing, wearing masks, getting vaccinated and against large gatherings.