Cupich said that he does not believe the moment has yet come for him to intervene directly and that he would speak publicly only if Fuentes began invoking the church’s authority to legitimize his views. “I think that it would be a real stretch for anyone to make the case that Catholics believe this kind of thing,” Cupich said. “I think that if someone needs to be called out in a public way, especially if they’re using as a basis for their pronouncements their association with the Catholic Church, then I think there would be a moment for me to say something about that. I’ll just continue to watch that.” RELATED: Catholic bishops tied to Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission voice criticism of administration It is not only Catholics who are influenced by Fuentes, but those who follow him, no matter their faith, often speak as if Fuentes’ beliefs, and his willingness to discuss them, override their own faith stands. Jonah, a 28-year-old Orthodox Christian from Tennessee who asked that his last name be withheld for safety concerns, said he discovered Fuentes two years ago through short Instagram clips. Jonah believes that many of Fuentes’ followers aren’t especially religious but said they might still be more inclined to trust Fuentes’ views because of his faith. “A lot of people who follow him are maybe not practicing Christians, but they agree with Christian values and stuff,” Jonah said. “I tend to gravitate to people who share the same faith as I do because you’re standing on more solid ground than if you’re coming at things from a non-Christian perspective.” Asked whether he believes Fuentes is racist or antisemitic, Jonah said no. “I just think there’s a lot of outside influence when it comes to the way that he’s perceived,” he said. “If it was true racism, it would contradict my religious beliefs. I think that he’s genuine, and he comes out of a place of truth. And when it comes to his Christian views, I believe that he’s being authentic.” Aleja McCain-Hertzler contributed to this story.
https://religionnews.com/2025/11/19/nick-fuentes-and-the-groyper-challenge-to-catholicism/