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Read Donald Trump's Letter to Catholic Leaders
Catholic News Agency ^ | October 6, 2016 | N/A

Posted on 10/07/2016 3:35:58 AM PDT by BlessedBeGod

Denver, Colo., Oct 6, 2016 / 12:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wrote a letter to Catholic leaders during a two-day conference in Denver this week, identifying himself as pro-life and vowing to support core values such as religious liberty and school choice.

“I have a message for Catholics: I will be there for you. I will stand with you. I will fight for you,” he wrote Oct. 5. “I am, and will remain, pro-life. I will defend your religious liberties and the right to fully and freely practice your religion, as individuals, business owners and academic institutions.”

Trump's letter was addressed to the 18th Annual Catholic Leadership Conference, being held Oct 4-6 in Denver.

He stated that Catholics are “a rich part of our nation's history” and that “the United States was, and is, strengthened through Catholic men, women, priests and religious Sisters.”

The GOP candidate has met a mixed reaction among Catholics. His commitment to the pro-life cause has been questioned by some advocates, due to his strong pro-choice statements in 1999 and 2000, as well as his comments during the campaign that his sister Maryanne Trump Barry would be an ideal Supreme Court nominee, despite her striking down New Jersey’s ban on partial-birth abortions as a judge. He has also pushed for an expansion of the death penalty.

While he later said that he is committed to appointing pro-life judges, his earlier statements have left some Catholics wary of his sincerity in being pro-life.

In his letter, Trump pointed to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s extreme pro-abortion record and support for the HHS mandate, which requires many religious non-profits to fund and facilitate abortion and related products against their religious convictions.

“Hillary Clinton supports forcing The Little Sisters of the Poor who have taken care of the elderly poor since 1839, pay [sic] for contraceptives in their health care plan (even though they have never wanted them, never used them and never will), and having the government fine them heavily if they continue to refuse to abide by this onerous mandate,” Trump wrote.

He added that Clinton “has been hostile to the core issues and policies of greatest concern to Catholics: life, religious liberty, Supreme Court nominations, affordable and quality healthcare, educational choice and home schooling.”

The GOP candidate also noted that Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has a 100 percent voting record from the National Abortion Rights Action League and supports same-sex marriage, despite professing to be Catholic.

“On issues and policies of greatest concern to Catholics, the differences between myself and Hillary Clinton are stark. I will stand with Catholics and fight for you,” he said. “Hillary Clinton has been openly hostile to these core Catholic issues for a long time, and is only going to be worse with Tim Kaine now following her lead.”

Trump’s commitment to religious freedom has been questioned, due to his proposal for an indefinite ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S. and a potential system of monitoring those already in the country.

And while the GOP candidate says he opposes same-sex marriage, he has attracted criticism from defense-of-marriage groups who note that he has bragged in the past about having affairs with other married women. Additionally, Trump’s casino was the first in Atlantic City to have an in-house strip club.

Trump concluded his letter by saying that he “offers a much brighter future for our beloved country” than does Clinton.

The presidential candidate's letter comes amid a tumultuous election season.

Last month, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said he believes “that each candidate is very bad news for our country, though in different ways.”

“One candidate, in the view of a lot of people, is a belligerent demagogue with an impulse control problem. And the other, also in the view of a lot of people, is a criminal liar, uniquely rich in stale ideas and bad priorities,” the archbishop added.

And in March, more than 30 Catholic intellectual leaders signed an open letter authored by George Weigel and Robert George denouncing Trump as a man “manifestly unfit to be president of the United States” who has “driven our politics down to new levels of vulgarity,” pleading with Catholics not to vote for Trump in the primaries, which were then in full-swing.

Read Donald Trump’s full letter to the Catholic Leadership Conference here.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: catholic; trump
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1 posted on 10/07/2016 3:35:58 AM PDT by BlessedBeGod
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To: BlessedBeGod

I have had differences of opinion with the Roman Catholic Church all of my life, but that is what they are, differences of opinion.

Regardless, we are all Christian Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ and what binds us together as such is much more significant and important as what might cause us to differ.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or surely, we will hang separately!”

The forces of the anti-Christ, coated in the disguise of liberalism, progressive-ism, intellectualism and urbane sophistication, are attempting to destroy our Judaeo-Christian Republic. We must all hang together. Trump is our best option, this election!


2 posted on 10/07/2016 3:43:55 AM PDT by Redleg Duke (Okay, the Primaries are over and it is us against the DC Uni-Party!)
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To: BlessedBeGod

If Trump does 1/4 of what he says, it will be significant progress.


3 posted on 10/07/2016 3:48:00 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: BlessedBeGod

Most Catholics blindly vote Democrat - “Democrats are for the poor people, Republicans are for rich people.”


4 posted on 10/07/2016 3:55:46 AM PDT by FroggyTheGremlim (Hillary Clinton: the official candidate of the National Sleep Foundation)
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To: Redleg Duke

“...that his sister Maryanne Trump Barry would be an ideal Supreme Court nominee...”

Many of us here, have listened to virtually every speech Trump has said. I’ve heard him speak warmly of his sister, but I’ve never heard him say that. She’s not on his list.

Another anti Trump piece.


5 posted on 10/07/2016 4:06:34 AM PDT by nikos1121 (I am way more deplorable than you.)
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To: Redleg Duke

“...Trump’s commitment to religious freedom has been questioned, due to his proposal for an indefinite ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S. and a potential system of monitoring those already in the country. “

Yeah, and the majority of Americans are with him on this, dumb @ss.


6 posted on 10/07/2016 4:07:45 AM PDT by nikos1121 (I am way more deplorable than you.)
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To: BlessedBeGod
Trump’s commitment to religious freedom has been questioned, due to his proposal for an indefinite ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S.

Another lie that is often repeated. He is for a ban on Muslims coming from countries that are a haven for terrorists and that have no way of vetting them. He has no problem with Muslims coming in from a country such as Canada.

7 posted on 10/07/2016 4:29:32 AM PDT by TheCipher (Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself. Mark Twain)
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To: eCSMaster

Hubbie was at Knights of Columbus meeting last night - SHOCKED that one guy said he was voting STRAIGHT DEM - he thinks Trump is crazy. Doesn’t care about Hillary and abortion. SO SAD!

Praying for our fellow Catholics to examine their conscience before voting DEM - it is a grievous sin!

Below is Fr. John Lankeit’s sermon from Oct 2 - Protect Life Sunday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=881aDDE5qFY


8 posted on 10/07/2016 5:06:04 AM PDT by RebelTXRose (Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! PRAY THE ROSARY!)
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To: nikos1121
And you are calling me "dumb @$$"?

I don't see your point, but then, I guess I am just a "dumb @$$".

9 posted on 10/07/2016 5:10:05 AM PDT by Redleg Duke (Okay, the Primaries are over and it is us against the DC Uni-Party!)
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To: eCSMaster

Hubbie was at Knights of Columbus meeting last night - SHOCKED that one guy said he was voting STRAIGHT DEM - he thinks Trump is crazy. Doesn’t care about Hillary and abortion. SO SAD!

Praying for our fellow Catholics to examine their conscience before voting DEM - it is a grievous sin!

Below is Fr. John Lankeit’s sermon from Oct 2 - Protect Life Sunday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=881aDDE5qFY


10 posted on 10/07/2016 5:10:17 AM PDT by RebelTXRose (Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! PRAY THE ROSARY!)
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To: Redleg Duke

The forces of the anti-Christ, coated in the disguise of liberalism, progressive-ism, intellectualism and urbane sophistication, are attempting to destroy our Judaeo-Christian Republic. We must all hang together. Trump is our best option, this election!
_______________________________________

Exactly right, and Christians of all persuasions, especially Evangelicals and Catholics, better start paying attention to the hatred toward them that is endemic in the worldview of the zealots in Democrat Party. Sincere Christians have what may be their last opportunity to save themselves and this whole country from becoming a hellhole of anti-religious bigotry and persecution.


11 posted on 10/07/2016 5:16:39 AM PDT by fortes fortuna juvat (The Democrats are so lacking in class, especially the avant-garde.)
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To: BlessedBeGod

“And in March, more than 30 Catholic intellectual leaders signed an open letter authored by George Weigel and Robert George denouncing Trump”

‘Catholic intellectual leaders’ — and there’s a concise label for what is so very wrong in the RCC.

‘Faithful and scriptural leaders’ have been pushed out, and are sorely needed today.


12 posted on 10/07/2016 5:22:50 AM PDT by polymuser (Enough is enough!)
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To: Redleg Duke

He’s calling the person who wrote the piece a dumb@$$.


13 posted on 10/07/2016 5:24:07 AM PDT by ostephani
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To: RebelTXRose

sorry for the duplicate post - only one cup of coffee yet.


14 posted on 10/07/2016 5:28:02 AM PDT by RebelTXRose (Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! PRAY THE ROSARY!)
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To: BlessedBeGod

Catholic dummies vote like adoring fans of a soccer club. Many are probably abortion cafeteria Catholics.


15 posted on 10/07/2016 5:37:44 AM PDT by Thickman (Obama - Professor of the United States)
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To: Redleg Duke

Go, Trump, GO!


16 posted on 10/07/2016 5:41:52 AM PDT by heterosupremacist ("Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." (Thomas Jefferson))
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To: TheCipher

Trump’s commitment to religious freedom has been questioned, due to his proposal for an indefinite ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S.

Another lie that is often repeated. He is for a ban on Muslims coming from countries that are a haven for terrorists and that have no way of vetting them. He has no problem with Muslims coming in from a country such as Canada.
____________________________________

Correct. And I believe Trump will handle the problem of criminal violence committed by Islamic radicals or others by demanding that the existing laws of this country be rigidly enforced, and that government at all levels enact new laws where necessary to take down violent criminals.
this is a major reason why all voters regardless of political affiliation should vote for him in November.


17 posted on 10/07/2016 5:47:47 AM PDT by fortes fortuna juvat (The Democrats are so lacking in class, especially the avant-garde.)
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To: BlessedBeGod

It is true that Trump’s commitment to the Pro Life cause is open to question.

On the other hand it’s abundantly clear that Hillary wants nothing more than for every baby possible to die in the womb.

So what’s the debate here?


18 posted on 10/07/2016 5:59:20 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: polymuser

These Christian intellectuals should be more forgiving of a man who was obviously unaware of so many things but is at least trying. He has been touched by the evangelicals who pray and read the Bible and by black ministers who preach and receive him with open arms as a child of God, yet you, you hypocrites, complain yet do nothing to share The Faith and show him the love of God.

Pray for him. He is as someone coineda “cradle Christian.”


19 posted on 10/07/2016 5:59:40 AM PDT by victim soul (victim soul)
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To: TheCipher

“Trump’s commitment to religious freedom has been questioned, due to his proposal for an indefinite ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S.”

WWJD?

I don’t think Jesus would have any problem with Trump’s supposed “Muslim ban”.

Here Jesus (Himself, red letters) is speaking to not just a religious group, but the Jewish religious leaders of the day. It’s sort of a delivered in person Tweet.

Matthew 23 New International Version (NIV)

13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

[14][b] 14 (NKJ) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.”

As opposed to “you can’t get on a plane”.


20 posted on 10/07/2016 6:34:34 AM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts)
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