Four years ago, Sheridan made his mark as having issued the strongest pronouncement yet from a Catholic leader in the United States over a debate about politics and how Catholic voters should cast their ballots. CBS News reported that previous warnings denouncing mostly Democratic candidates and those who support a woman’s right to choose were limited to the candidates themselves.

Sheridan’s position was widely criticized for its inconsistencies.

As blogger Jeff Miller, known as the Curt Jester, noted after Sheridan’s pronouncement, “Curiously, the Bishop does not support denying Holy Communion to Catholics who vote for candidates who support the death penalty, torture, or unjust war.”