DC Episcopal Bishop Decries Trump Photo-op in Front of St. John's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:trump’s ridiculous photo op really bombed.

but did it bomb among evangelicals? So far I haven't heard anything from them one way or the other.

Not really, look at tiktok and instagram, the video of him walking over is being called "like a boss" and reposted thousands of times.

By bots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Ha, ha, ha! They even got him about his tiny hands.

[Anonymous]

Looks like the Catholic Archbishop wasn't any happier about Trump's visit to a shrine today.

President Trump triggered sharp condemnation from top religious leaders for the second time in two days on Tuesday, with Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory slamming his visit to a D.C. shrine honoring Pope John Paul II.
...

“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people, even those with whom we might disagree,” Gregory said in a statement as Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Northeast Washington.

The shrine was opened as a museum to John Paul in 2001, but nose-dived financially and was bailed out in 2011 by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s religious organization that has lobbied for conservative political causes, such as opposing same-sex marriage.

In his statement, Gregory noted the legacy of Pope John Paul II, suggesting he would not have condoned Trump’s actions, including his walk to St. John’s as hundreds of demonstrators were protesting the death of George Floyd last week in the custody of the Minneapolis police.

“Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth," Gregory said. "He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”

Trump’s brief visit to the shrine appeared to serve primarily as another photo opportunity. John Paul II is especially remembered fondly by conservative Catholics for his strong anti-Communist and anti-abortion rights stances.

The president and the first lady, who identifies as Roman Catholic, stood to face the media for photos before facing the statue of John Paul II for a few minutes. Then they looked at a wreath of red and white roses that held a card saying “Mr. President.” The president did not make any remarks before walking back into the shrine. Near the shrine, several protesters read Gregory’s statement aloud during Trump’s visit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:trump’s ridiculous photo op really bombed.

but did it bomb among evangelicals? So far I haven't heard anything from them one way or the other.

Not really, look at tiktok and instagram, the video of him walking over is being called "like a boss" and reposted thousands of times.

By bots.

not really they are regular users with the dumb dances and 1000s of posts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:trump’s ridiculous photo op really bombed.

but did it bomb among evangelicals? So far I haven't heard anything from them one way or the other.

Don't care what evangelicals think. They are authoritarians.

I'd like to hear from some prominent Evangelicals to see how -- or if -- they try to spin this.

Christianity Today, which is apparently a prominent evangelical periodical/media outlet, carried a blog that said this:

Ed Stetzer wrote on his Christianity Today magazine blog that the president’s photo op was “jarring and awkward. It did not play well, even with many of the president’s supporters."

“America is burning. We need a call to justice that sees each and every person as image bearers of their Creator—as the Bible teaches,” he wrote. “But, we did not need that photo op.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the Catholic Archbishop wasn't any happier about Trump's visit to a shrine today.

President Trump triggered sharp condemnation from top religious leaders for the second time in two days on Tuesday, with Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory slamming his visit to a D.C. shrine honoring Pope John Paul II.
...

“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people, even those with whom we might disagree,” Gregory said in a statement as Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Northeast Washington.

The shrine was opened as a museum to John Paul in 2001, but nose-dived financially and was bailed out in 2011 by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s religious organization that has lobbied for conservative political causes, such as opposing same-sex marriage.

In his statement, Gregory noted the legacy of Pope John Paul II, suggesting he would not have condoned Trump’s actions, including his walk to St. John’s as hundreds of demonstrators were protesting the death of George Floyd last week in the custody of the Minneapolis police.

“Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth," Gregory said. "He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”

Trump’s brief visit to the shrine appeared to serve primarily as another photo opportunity. John Paul II is especially remembered fondly by conservative Catholics for his strong anti-Communist and anti-abortion rights stances.

The president and the first lady, who identifies as Roman Catholic, stood to face the media for photos before facing the statue of John Paul II for a few minutes. Then they looked at a wreath of red and white roses that held a card saying “Mr. President.” The president did not make any remarks before walking back into the shrine. Near the shrine, several protesters read Gregory’s statement aloud during Trump’s visit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/

Bishop Gregory is a righteous dude.

And I like how Melania "identifies as Roman Catholic." What does that mean when she never goes to church or participates in the sacraments? Sounds more like a fallen-away Catholic to me.

[Anonymous]

Melania wouldn't smile for him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Melania wouldn't smile for him

I'm not a huge fan of Melania, but she got the somber mood right. Trump smiling like he's at Disney World is totally tone deaf.

At least Trump gave up trying to brandish a bible, he looked ridiculous yesterday. Maybe he thought it would burst into flames if he kept trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Melania wouldn't smile for him

Ugh did you see her start to grimace? Hard to watch, she looks like an abused woman.

I know she’s a birther and terrible but this video is honestly hard to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I found her tweet disturbing. She was more concerned about Trump than the fact that the "protesters" set fire to the church. Seems a little topsy turvy to me.

I don't like it when any pastors get political--and that includes the ones that support Trump and the ones that don't. They should stay out of politics.

As a relative newcomer to the Episcopal Church, I was not at all surprised to see the Bishop’s commentary. I don’t agree that pastors should stay out of politics. I don’t think pastors should comment on whom to vote for or condemn political parties, but it’s always fine by me when religious leaders feel compelled to speak out against injustice, hatred and oppression.

[Anonymous]

Barr personally asked for protesters to be pushed back from D.C. park just before Trump spoke
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/02/george-floyd-protests-live-updates/#link-44GHB2FFFFERJCVPW7CL6UPFNI

Attorney General William P. Barr ordered law enforcement officials on the ground to extend the perimeter around Lafayette Square, which is adjacent to the White House, just before President Trump spoke Monday, a Justice Department official said.

[Anonymous]

Federal officials floated idea of taking over D.C. police, mayor’s office says
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/02/george-floyd-protests-live-updates/#link-44GHB2FFFFERJCVPW7CL6UPFNI

Federal officials floated the idea of taking control of D.C. police, John Falcicchio, the mayor’s chief of staff, confirmed Tuesday.

The District of Columbia is a federal enclave governed by a mayor and a city council, but the federal law granting self-governance allows the president to take control of local police officers in emergency situations.

Falcicchio said federal officials, including at the White House, inquired about their powers to take control of D.C. police. Mayor Muriel E. Boswer (D) and other city officials objected and said they would mount a legal challenge if federal officials attempt to do so, according to Falcicchio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the Catholic Archbishop wasn't any happier about Trump's visit to a shrine today.

President Trump triggered sharp condemnation from top religious leaders for the second time in two days on Tuesday, with Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory slamming his visit to a D.C. shrine honoring Pope John Paul II.
...

“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people, even those with whom we might disagree,” Gregory said in a statement as Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Northeast Washington.

The shrine was opened as a museum to John Paul in 2001, but nose-dived financially and was bailed out in 2011 by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s religious organization that has lobbied for conservative political causes, such as opposing same-sex marriage.

In his statement, Gregory noted the legacy of Pope John Paul II, suggesting he would not have condoned Trump’s actions, including his walk to St. John’s as hundreds of demonstrators were protesting the death of George Floyd last week in the custody of the Minneapolis police.

“Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth," Gregory said. "He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”

Trump’s brief visit to the shrine appeared to serve primarily as another photo opportunity. John Paul II is especially remembered fondly by conservative Catholics for his strong anti-Communist and anti-abortion rights stances.

The president and the first lady, who identifies as Roman Catholic, stood to face the media for photos before facing the statue of John Paul II for a few minutes. Then they looked at a wreath of red and white roses that held a card saying “Mr. President.” The president did not make any remarks before walking back into the shrine. Near the shrine, several protesters read Gregory’s statement aloud during Trump’s visit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/

Bishop Gregory is a righteous dude.

And I like how Melania "identifies as Roman Catholic." What does that mean when she never goes to church or participates in the sacraments? Sounds more like a fallen-away Catholic to me.

+1 and marries a twice divorced philanderer? I doubt trump had his previous marriages annulled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I found her tweet disturbing. She was more concerned about Trump than the fact that the "protesters" set fire to the church. Seems a little topsy turvy to me.

I don't like it when any pastors get political--and that includes the ones that support Trump and the ones that don't. They should stay out of politics.

Just as clergy members don’t like it when politicians use churches and Bibles as props in political theater, while behaving in ways that are not compatible with Jesus’s teachings. Hence, her tweet.

Do they "like it" when violent rioters use churches as props for their graffiti and vandalism? Is that somehow ok with them? Do you think Jesus is bestowing his blessing upon these thugs? Where's the condemnation of, you know, THE ACTUAL CRIMINALS HERE??
-DP

Trump is the actual criminal here.

[Anonymous]