Biden, said Coons, "will be a president for Americans of all faiths, as well as people of conscience who practice no particular faith."
"Joe's faith is really about our future, about a world with less suffering and more justice, where we're better stewards of creation, where we have a more just immigration policy, and where we call out and confront the original sins of this nation, the sins of slavery and racism," he added. Biden "knows these are central issues in this election, and for him, they're rooted in faith."
Although Biden's Catholic identity has featured prominently during the convention and in several campaign ads, a number of key policy planks in the 2020 Democratic platform are in opposition to Catholic teaching -- including on issues of faith and morals, like the sanctity of life and marriage -- or to the Church's position on issues of religious freedom and conscience protections.
In his acceptance speech, Biden emphasized the need for national unity, and again invoked his religious faith.
"With passion and purpose, let us begin --you and I together, one nation, under God--united in our love for America and united in our love for each other," said Biden.
Biden's use of the phrase one nation "under God" followed the omission of the line in the pledge of allegiance at several caucus events during the Democratic convention. The phrase was dropped during recitations of the pledge at meetings of the DNC's Muslim and LGBTQ caucuses.