On October 22, twelve American successors to the Apostles cleared up a conundrum that has baffled theologians for centuries: What is the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit? Thanks to them, we now know: it is for Catholic clergy to meet with the President of the United States. Many have weighed in on this already, including Dr. Marcus Peter with his fine piece here at CWR.
Presently, I want to put the episcopal “prayer” into the full context of the event and the event itself into the broader American historical context.
As everyone should know, whatever one thinks of President Trump, his administration has taken input from religious leaders very seriously. The three-minute prayer was actually part of a twelve-minute meeting between the President and the bishops, which in turn was part of an over-three-hour meeting between the bishops and the White House Faith Office (which has met with leaders of many other faith traditions), with Vice President J.D. Vance presiding. The topics discussed included: The dignity of life, the abortion pill, and IVF policy; school choice programs and parental rights; stopping Christian persecution and fighting Marxism; finding the missing children and the new program to help foster care children; and religious worker visas.
Read more on CWR
See also
Opinion: When praying for a President becomes a scandal
