Reagan, dead at 93, drew Catholic support, opposition on his policies

Published: 2004-06-07

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In eight years in the White House, President Ronald Wilson Reagan drew Catholic support with his stands on abortion and aid to private schools but was often at loggerheads with the Catholic bishops on issues ranging from nuclear defense and welfare reform to U.S. policy in Central America. He played a major role in shaping world events in the last decade of the Cold War and established formal U.S. diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Reagan, who was president from 1981 to 1989, died June 5 at the age of 93 at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles after struggling with Alzheimer's disease for a decade.

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