Wilton Gregory, the Catholic archbishop of the diocese of Washington, on Tuesday slammed President Trump’s visit to the John Paul II National Shrine in the city.
“I find it 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 calls us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” Gregory said in a statement.
Gregory said that John Paul II, a defender of human rights and opponent of communism, would not have approved of Trump’s use of tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters in front of the White House. Trump had the protesters displaced so that he could visit St. John’s, an Episcopal church that was burned by rioters on Sunday.
Many photographers snapped pictures of Trump holding an unopened Bible in front of the church.
“[John Paul II] certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace,” Gregory said.
Trump’s visit to the shrine, which is run by the Knights of Columbus, comes just hours before the president is slated to sign an executive order regarding international religious freedom.
Protesters gathered nearby the shrine in anticipation of Trump’s visit. Some held signs saying “Black Lives Matter.” One woman held a sign which read, “My church is not a photo-op.”
