What does ‘ordo amoris’ mean? Vice President JD Vance references this medieval Catholic idea

Vice President JD Vance has recently referenced medieval Catholic teachings to support the immigration policies implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration.
On January 30, he shared a post on the social media platform X, advocating for what he calls “ord? amoris,” which sparked discussions following a Fox News interview where he spoke on prioritizing love and responsibility.
In his remarks, he noted, “You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country. Only after that can you focus on the rest of the world.”
Vance argued that the “far left” has distorted these priorities.
He emphasized the importance of personal moral obligations, stating that duties to one’s children should take precedence over those directed toward distant strangers.

But what does the term ‘ordo amoris’ signify?
It can be translated as “order of love” or “order of charity,” a principle articulated by St. Augustine, a prominent ancient theologian.
Augustine proposed that affection should be given appropriately based on relationships and circumstances. He wrote, “Now he is a man of just and holy life who… neither loves what he ought not to love, nor fails to love what he ought to love.”
He highlighted that while everyone should be loved equally, one should pay special attention to those who come into closer proximity due to time, place, or circumstance.

St. Thomas Aquinas further developed these ideas in the 13th century, suggesting that the way we express love and obligation can shift depending on the situation.
He stated, “We ought to be most beneficent towards those who are most closely connected with us,” while recognizing that particular circumstances might necessitate helping a stranger in dire situations over a family member in less immediate need.
The modern catechism of the Catholic Church touches on this idea by acknowledging the “order of charity,” emphasizing the responsibilities towards honoring parents and being good citizens.