Obama releases statement on Pope Benedict

February 11, 2013 By

 From the White House:  On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Michelle and I warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years.   The Church plays a critical [...]

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Secret Service investigating “Pray for Obama” sign

September 1, 2012 By

It’s not the sign that’s causing trouble, but the Bible verse accompanying it. Details: The Secret Service is looking into a sign posted in Victoria, Texas. The sign says “Pray for Obama”, but it’s the scripture quoted below those words that is raising eyebrows: Psalms 109:8. Psalms 109:8 reads, “Let his days be few, and let [...]

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“I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is real.”

August 21, 2012 By

President Obama gave a rare interview about his religious views to the magazine of the National Cathedral.  Politico has highlights:  In an interview with the Washington National Cathedral magazine, President Obama discussed how his faith influenced his politics — saying that at the end of the day ‘God is in control.’ “First and foremost, my Christian faith [...]

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Mitt at prayer: Mormon reporter covers his trip to Mormon church service—UPDATED

August 19, 2012 By

Last week brought us a glimpse at Paul Ryan attending church.  This week, it’s Mitt Romney’s turn.  An interesting item from the New York Times “The Caucus” blog, which posted excerpts of today’s pool report from McKay Coppins of Buzzfeed: “Following an hourlong drive from their Concord, NH hotel, your pool arrived in Mitt Romney’s [...]

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Dolan: Why I invited President Obama to the Al Smith Dinner

August 14, 2012 By

A keeper from the Cardinal, answering his critics: How can you justify inviting the President? Let me try to explain. For one, an invitation to the Al Smith Dinner is not an award, or the provision of a platform to expound views at odds with the Church. It is an occasion of conversation; it is personal, not partisan. [...]

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Romney releases new ad featuring Pope John Paul II, accuses Obama of waging war on religion

August 9, 2012 By

Details:  A new Mitt Romney ad released Thursday accuses President Barack Obama of waging a “war on religion.” The ad, along with recent attacks on Obama’s welfare policy, signals a move away from attacking the president’s handling of the economy. “President Obama used his health care plan to declare war on religion, forcing religious institutions to [...]

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On Al Smith Dinner: “It is not a religious event in any way…it is a civic event”

August 9, 2012 By

The blog for the Archdiocese of New York has published a response to the controversy surrounding Cardinal Dolan’s invitation to President Obama for the Al Smith Dinner. From blogger Ed Mechman:  The Al Smith Dinner is organized and hosted by the Alfred E. Smith Foundation, which is closely affiliated with but independent of the Archdiocese [...]

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The “Pew Gap”: Signs that religious voters are losing faith in Obama

June 3, 2012 By

Details, from the Associated Press: In 2008, Barack Obama took aim at the “pew gap,” the overwhelming Republican edge among voters who regularly attend church. The Democratic presidential nominee came nowhere near closing it, but he didn’t have to. He just needed an extra percentage point or two among traditional GOP constituents, and he got [...]

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Dolan meets privately with Obama

November 12, 2011 By 35 Comments

I had gotten wind of this earlier in the week, but this is the first I’ve seen it in print: President Obama met quietly with New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan Nov. 8, the White House has confirmed. Dolan is the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The men discussed a range of issues [...]

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Clergy to Obama: "Put the needs of the poor first"

July 22, 2011 By

A meeting between President Obama and Christian clergy — including Catholics — didn’t get much attention earlier this week.  But while Washington wrestles with ways to raise the debt ceiling, and cut funding, this meeting helped give a voice to those who are not being heard from in the debate, the poor. From Huffington Post: [...]

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