Franciscans disgusted by Trump staffer's anti-Catholic comment

A Franciscan group in the United States has protested over a comment made by a Donald Trump aide which they say is anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant and racist.

In a statement they say: "The Franciscan Action Network is appalled by Donald Trump consultant Steve Bannon's recent comment that the Catholic Church only supports immigration reform in the United States because "the Church is dying." The statement smacks of anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant, racist undertones. Anti-Catholicism was once an ugly part of our nation's history, but no matter one's background or place of origin, the Catholic Church in the United States has always been a Church of immigrants and has "Welcomed the Stranger" as Jesus commanded.

"Pope Francis has called on us to build bridges and not walls," said Franciscan Action Network's Executive Director Patrick Carolan. "In the past Donald Trump has attacked the Pope, and now his campaign is going after the Church itself. Enough is enough."

Our country has a history of racism and Catholics and people of faith must speak out as the Trump campaign continues to disparage women, minorities, different religions, and the disabled. The future of our democracy depends on the ability to have a free exchange of ideas without resorting to name calling or discrimination against different groups.

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.

For more information see: https://franciscanaction.org/