Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what 'policing' means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight MORE (D), a 2020 presidential candidate, said Sunday that religious doctrine should not inform public policy.

“I also believe strongly in the freedom of religion, and I believe strongly in the separation of church and state," Delaney said at CNN town hall in Austin, Texas. "So I don’t believe religious doctrine should inform public policy.”

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Delaney, who is Catholic, added that he believes faith can inform an individual, but said it should not sway public policy.

"A lot of us get our values from our faith," Delaney said, adding that his “social justice orientation” comes from his Catholic faith “to some extent.”

"But I don't think my church, and my church polices and doctrines, should decide public policy in this country."

CNN host Jake Tapper pressed Delaney on how his Catholic faith informed his opinions on abortion.

"I'm pro-choice," Delaney responded. "And I completely support a woman's decision to make her own reproductive decisions about her own body. I don't struggle with that as a matter of public policy."