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Anthony Albanese’s choice of a secular affirmation instead of a Bible oath at his swearing-in ceremony has raised concerns about his true commitment to his Catholic faith and whether his religious identity is politically driven.

When Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Prime Minister for a second time on Tuesday, there was something conspicuously absent from the ceremony: a Bible.

Instead of taking a religious oath before the Governor-General, Albanese chose to make a secular affirmation, just as he did in 2022. Legally, it makes no difference. But politically and culturally, the PM’s choice speaks volumes.

Albanese’s Bible-avoidance has stirred considerable debate, with Sky News commentators like Peta Credlin and Paul Murray highlighting what they see as a disconnect between the Prime Minister’s professed Catholicism and his public conduct.

“A lot of the Labor people, probably most of them now, don’t touch the Bible,” Credlin quipped during her segment on the topic. “But contrast this with how he was speaking about his trip to Rome for the Pope’s inauguration.”

Credlin was referring to a Monday press interview in which the Prime Minister said, “My mum would be pretty chuffed at the idea that her son will be going as Prime Minister to see the inauguration of a pope in the Vatican City.”

“It doesn’t sit comfortably with me,” Credlin reflected. “I’m Catholic, and while everyone’s faith is private and ebbs and flows, he put his faith front and centre during the campaign, arguably to win votes… But when sworn in, he avoids the Bible like it’s kryptonite.”

Spectator columnist Terry Barnes, a guest of Credlin’s, agreed, arguing that the Prime Minister “was out there trying to put his faith on his sleeve and tell everybody he’s a good, faithful, moral person, but when he has the chance to actually swear by Almighty God, he doesn’t”.

“It seems to me that all he wants to do is actually get on the plane and go to Rome, and be basically a celebrity tourist.”

‘Out and Proud Before an Election’

Credlin and Barnes identified what appears to be a pattern in Albanese’s public persona: projecting faith when it is politically expedient but distancing himself from religious expression when electoral pressures subside.

In Australia, ministers have the option of being sworn in by either an oath or an affirmation. The oath is a traditional religious vow, invoking the Almighty with the words “so help me God” while a hand is placed on the Bible. By contrast, the affirmation omits religious language entirely and was included by the Constitution’s drafters to accomodate secular office holders.

Even if Anthony Albanese leads the more secular of Australia’s two major political parties, his personal choice to make an affirmation rather than take a traditional oath is an unusual call for a self-proclaimed Catholic.

Paul Murray, who also commented on the saga, prefaced his remarks by noting he is not a person of faith. Nevertheless, he observed, “If I was someone who… had gone to church publicly on the occasion of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then you would think the greatest power that you could swear to… would be the very God [you were] more than happy to parade” at Easter.

“When it came to presenting as a person of faith, appealing to as many people of faith as possible, the Prime Minister was out and proud before an election,” he continued.

But “when he was sworn in again for the second time as Prime Minister,” observed Murray, that faith was nowhere to be seen.

“There is nothing more insulting than to talk about somebody’s personal faith because it is theirs and theirs alone,” Murray acknowledged. “But why wouldn’t he show that by taking the same oath as many prime ministers before?”

Faith on the Campaign Trail

The Labor Party’s tumultuous relationship with the Christian faith isn’t new.

In the lead-up to the 2022 federal election, the then-Opposition Leader made a point of referring to his “three great faiths”: the Labor Party, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and the Catholic Church. He also gave a reading at St Charbel’s Maronite Church on Good Friday, and announced his education policy from the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral College, his former Catholic school.

While these overtures aided Albanese’s rise to power, they were a direct outcome of Labor’s 2019 election post-mortem, which warned that the party had alienated many people of faith. The review stated plainly: “The party would be wise to reconnect with people of faith on social justice issues and emphasise its historic links to the mainstream church.”

Scott Morrison had won in 2019 — and contributing to that victory was the left’s overt mockery of Morrison’s Christian faith, which had clearly left a sour taste in the mouths of many Australians.

Labor took note. Albanese’s carefully crafted public displays of Catholicism during the follow-up contest were a clear response to that political learning. But as soon as the campaign ended, so did the pious posturing — a pattern that we saw play out again this year.

Credlin and Murray are right. What message does this send to voters — particularly ethnic communities and faith-based constituencies in Western Sydney and Western Melbourne — who elected Albanese, trusting his profession of faith?

Australians are right to question their leader’s sincerity when he sidesteps such a basic expression of personal belief.

Catholic teaching holds that all legitimate authority — including civic authority — ultimately comes from God. Albanese’s choice not to affirm this principle suggests a disconnect from the Christian belief that power is entrusted from on high and remains at all times subject to Almighty God.

Only God knows our Prime Minister’s heart. But it is within the purview of Australia’s citizens to judge their leader’s integrity.

Symbolism matters. Australians aren’t asking for perfection — just consistency.

Until we know more, we’re forced to wonder: is Albanese more concerned about belief — or branding?