Robert Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester, criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she downplayed the concept of Western culture in response to remarks by Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference.

In a video posted to X, Barron first praised Rubio for defending the shared cultural inheritance of Europe and America, citing influences ranging from Gothic cathedrals and Dante to Shakespeare and even the Beatles. Barron noted Rubio’s argument that culture is rooted in “cult,” meaning religion, and said that acknowledgment of Christianity’s role in shaping Western civilization aligns with thinkers such as Pope Benedict XVI and historian Christopher Dawson.

Turning to Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism, Barron said her characterization of Western culture as “thin” and her emphasis on material and class-based analysis reflected classical Marxist theory. He argued that reducing culture to shifting social constructs while elevating economic struggle mirrors Karl Marx’s claim that culture is merely a “superstructure” built upon economic foundations.

Barron rejected the idea that Western civilization lacks substance, pointing to its contributions to the rule of law, individual rights, democratic governance, and the university system. While acknowledging that cultures evolve, he said that does not negate their defining characteristics or historical achievements.

The bishop warned that openly Marxist rhetoric is becoming more common among some figures on the political left, referencing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and broader discussions of collectivism. He cautioned that Marxist regimes historically targeted religion first and said such ideological trends concern him as a religious leader.

Barron concluded by urging Americans to pay close attention to political language, arguing that the philosophical assumptions underlying policy debates carry long-term cultural consequences.