Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is once again at the center of controversy after she issued a sharp defense of her recent comments suggesting Catholic bishops are "controlled by Satan."
Greene's remarks, made just hours after the announcement of Pope Francis’s death, have drawn fierce criticism from religious organizations, political opponents, and members of the public.
The firestorm began with a tweet posted by Greene early Monday morning. Although she did not explicitly mention Pope Francis by name, the timing of her post — coming just hours after the Vatican announced the pope’s passing — left little doubt in the minds of many observers that her message was linked to the death of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
"Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God," Greene wrote.
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights swiftly condemned Greene’s tweet, interpreting it as a direct attack on Pope Francis and calling for her censure by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Catholic League President William Donohue formally requested the House Ethics Committee to investigate Greene’s actions and hold her accountable for what he described as a profoundly disrespectful and inflammatory statement.
Rather than backing down, Greene issued a lengthy and defiant response on Wednesday. In her statement, Greene rejected any suggestion that she owed an apology to Catholic leaders and instead demanded an apology herself for what she called an unwarranted and dishonest attack on her character.
"It’s the church leadership I was referring to when I invoked the Devil," Greene wrote. "Just so we’re clear, bishops, when I said ‘controlled by Satan,’ I wasn’t talking about the Catholic Church. I was talking about you."
Greene elaborated further, explaining that her distrust of Catholic leadership dated back years to when she became a mother. She said that she decided to stop attending Mass after concluding that she "could not trust the Church leadership to protect my children from pedophiles."
Although Greene's statement did not directly name Pope Francis, critics pointed out that as the bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church, Francis would necessarily fall within the scope of Greene’s broad denunciation of bishops.
The controversy surrounding Greene's comments comes at a sensitive time, both politically and culturally. The death of Pope Francis has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics around the world, with many remembering his emphasis on compassion, inclusion, and social justice.
Greene’s comments struck a nerve not only among Catholics but also among many others who saw her remarks as insensitive, divisive, and disrespectful to millions mourning the pope’s death.
Clarence Blalock, a Democrat who plans to challenge Greene in the 2026 election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, was among those quick to condemn her.
Blalock, who previously ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 Democratic primary for the seat, said Greene’s comments demonstrated a lack of empathy and a divisive mindset unworthy of public office.
"At a time when people of faith are mourning the loss of a global religious leader, Marjorie Taylor Greene chose to sow division and insult an entire faith community," Blalock said in a statement. "Our district deserves better."
Blalock’s criticism was echoed by others across the political spectrum. Religious leaders, including several Protestant and Jewish leaders, called for Greene to retract her statements and apologize for her inflammatory rhetoric.
Some emphasized that Greene’s comments not only disrespected Catholics but also undermined the spirit of unity and respect that public officials are expected to uphold.
Despite the backlash, Greene remained unapologetic. In a follow-up interview on a conservative talk show, she doubled down on her stance, portraying herself as a truth-teller willing to confront what she views as corruption within religious institutions.
"I am not going to sit quietly while people in positions of spiritual authority cover up evil and protect predators," Greene said. "If that makes me unpopular with the political elites and the media, so be it. I answer to God, not to them."
Greene’s defenders argue that she is raising legitimate concerns about the historical failings of church leadership, particularly regarding the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse scandals. They argue that her comments, while blunt, reflect widespread frustrations among people who feel betrayed by religious leaders.
However, critics point out that Greene’s broad condemnation of Catholic bishops as being "controlled by Satan" goes far beyond legitimate criticism. They argue that her language promotes religious intolerance and demonization, contributing to an already toxic political climate.
The Catholic League’s call for Greene’s censure places additional pressure on House leadership to respond. However, it remains unclear whether Republican leaders will take any action.
Greene remains a prominent figure within the party’s populist wing and enjoys strong support among her base. In the past, Republican leaders have been reluctant to discipline Greene, even amid controversies.
Democrats, on the other hand, have signaled that they may push for formal proceedings if Republican leaders fail to act. Some House Democrats have floated the idea of introducing a resolution to censure Greene, arguing that her comments violate the standards of conduct expected from members of Congress.
Beyond the political ramifications, Greene’s remarks highlight broader tensions in American public life about the intersection of religion, politics, and freedom of speech.
While politicians are free to express their views, many argue that public officials also bear a responsibility to speak with care and to respect the diverse religious beliefs of their constituents.
For Greene, controversy has been a hallmark of her political brand. Since first winning election to Congress in 2020, she has frequently made headlines with provocative statements on a wide range of topics, from COVID-19 conspiracies to her support for debunked election fraud claims.
Her confrontational style has earned her a loyal following among some voters but has also made her one of the most polarizing figures in American politics.
The latest controversy is unlikely to change that dynamic. Greene’s base is expected to rally around her, seeing her comments as part of a broader fight against what they view as corruption among elites, both religious and secular.
Meanwhile, her critics are likely to use the episode to further argue that Greene is unfit for public office.
For Catholic voters, the situation is particularly fraught. While some may share Greene’s frustrations with church leadership over past scandals, many see her comments as an unacceptable attack on their faith and their community. How Catholic voters in her district and beyond respond could have implications for Greene’s political future.
In the meantime, Greene shows no signs of backing down. In her Wednesday statement, she vowed to continue speaking out against what she called "institutional evil" wherever she sees it.
"I will never apologize for standing up for the innocent and speaking the truth," Greene said. "The truth will always offend those who are trying to hide it."
As the political fallout continues to unfold, the episode serves as yet another reminder of the volatile and often combustible mix of religion and politics in contemporary America.
Whether Greene ultimately faces any formal consequences for her comments remains to be seen, but what is certain is that her remarks have once again thrust her into the national spotlight — and deepened the divisions that define the current political landscape.
