Trump Signs Executive Order To Advance International Religious Freedom

(Washington, DC) — President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at promoting international religious freedom. Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway made the announcement on Fox News. The President and First Lady visited the Pope John Paul the Second National Shrine in Washington, DC. They both observed a moment of silence and placed a wreath at the Shrine. Trump is facing widespread criticism after holding up a Bible for a photo-op outside a church near the White House yesterday. Police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to break up a peaceful protest so Trump could walk to the church.

As for the presidential visit to the Shrine, a statement from Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory said it is “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.” He insisted that Pope John Paul the Second “would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate” people for a “photo opportunity” in front of another place of “worship and peace.”

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Terry Moore/Steven Anthony/jas WDC)