The Ohio Council of Churches is shocked over the recently published image of President Donald J. Trump dressed as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. This mockery of the papacy, coming just days after the death of Pope Francis, displays insensitivity and disrespect for the 1.4 billion-member worldwide Roman Catholic Church.
 

The papacy represents spiritual leadership and service of the highest level of Roman Catholicism. The office of Pope is not only respected by Roman Catholics but also by scores of Christians from other traditions, people of other faiths, and people of no faiths at all. Such blatant trivialization of the papacy by one who holds the highest political office in the land is an affront to members of the Roman Catholic Church and to all Christians and all who honor the role sacred faith plays in the lives of adherents. In addition, it projects an ill-conceived consolidation of political and religious power that would serve neither the nation nor the church well. Roman Catholics deserve better from the president of the United States. We all do.

Mr. President, please use your office to show respect for Roman Catholicism during its season of grief and transition. We ask that you take down the image of yourself as pope immediately.
 

– The Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins
Conference Minister, Heartland Conference, United Church of Christ and President of the Governing Board, the Ohio Council of Churches

 

– The Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.
Executive Director, the Ohio Council of Churches

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– Rev. Allen V. Harris (he/him/his)

Christian Church In Ohio | Regional Pastor & President

Secretary of the Governing Board, the Ohio Council of Churches

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– The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane

Transitions Minister | The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio

Vice President of the Governing Board, the Ohio Council of Churches

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– Rev. Dr. LaCreta M. Clark

Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati District of the AME Church

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– Rev. Dr. Charles B Hardwick

Presbyterian Church (USA). Birmingham, MI.

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– The Rev. Adam Sornchai

Treasurer of the Ohio Council of Churches, Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) Cardington, OH

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– Melodi Goff, Wilmington Yearly Meeting Coordinator

 

– Dana Dunseith, Wilmington Yearly Meeting representative to the Ohio Council of Churches

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– Rev. Dr. Samuel N. Winston, Jr.
Pastor, Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Dayton, OH
Mount Vernon Baptist Church, SIdney, OH
President, Ohio Baptist General Convention, Inc.