The White House held events for Christian Holy Week, including a dinner with Christian leaders and a religious service. President Trump acknowledged Jesus Christ's suffering and resurrection, and encouraged prayers for the nation and those suffering. Jennifer Korn, director of the White House Faith Office, noted that Catholics and various Protestant communities attended the events. A Passover event was also scheduled at the White House, coinciding with Holy Week.
15 days ago
The White House is observing Holy Week with a series of events, including a Wednesday dinner and prayer service, and a Thursday prayer and worship service 1 2. These events aim to honor Holy Week with the observance it deserves 1 2. The Thursday service will feature Christian hymns performed by musicians associated with Liberty University 1 2. The Wednesday dinner and prayer service will be livestreamed online 1 2.
President Trump has publicly stated that God saved him from an assassination attempt, which has deepened his faith 1 2. According to Jennifer Korn, director of the White House Faith Office, this experience has instilled in Trump a resolve to "bring America back" 1 2. Trump believes God spared his life to be president again 1 2. He has also placed two gold angels in the Oval Office, symbolizing divine protection over his work and administration 1 2.
Established in February, the White House Faith Office aims to root out anti-Christian bias, defend religious liberty, and include religious communities in public policy discussions 1 2. This office replaces the former White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships 1 2. Korn emphasizes that the separation of church and state does not exclude people of faith from having a voice in government, and this office seeks to restore that voice 1 2.
In addition to the Holy Week events, the White House is also hosting a Passover event on Thursday afternoon 1 2. This is because the Jewish celebration of Passover overlaps with the Christian Holy Week this year 1 2.
The White House's observance of Holy Week, along with the establishment of the White House Faith Office and President Trump's public expressions of faith, raise important questions about the relationship between faith and political authority. Catholic teachings offer a framework for understanding these intersections, emphasizing both the importance of religious freedom and the need for a clear distinction between the roles of Church and State .
Catholic social teaching emphasizes that the Church and the political community are autonomous and independent of each other in their own fields . The Second Vatican Council, in Gaudium et Spes, states that the Church is "not identified with any political community nor bound by ties to any political system" . This principle underscores that the Church's mission is primarily spiritual, focused on the salvation of souls, while the State's responsibility is to promote the common good in the temporal realm . However, this separation does not mean that faith has no role in public life.
The Church encourages its members to participate in public life, guided by their Christian conscience . As Pope Francis reminds us, politics "remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good" . Catholics are called to bring their moral convictions to the public square, working to build a society that respects the dignity of every human being and promotes justice and peace . This engagement should be characterized by a commitment to truth, justice, and freedom .
The Church also expects the political community to respect its independence and autonomy, including the right to religious freedom . This freedom includes the right to worship in public, to teach and bear witness to the faith, and to promote initiatives in the educational, cultural, charitable, and social domains . The White House Faith Office, in seeking to defend religious liberty and include religious communities in public policy discussions, could be seen as an effort to uphold this principle. However, it is important to ensure that such efforts do not lead to preferential treatment for one religious group over others, or to the imposition of religious beliefs on those who do not share them.
While the integration of faith and politics can be a positive force, it also presents potential challenges. One concern is the risk of politicizing faith, using religious beliefs to justify political agendas or to divide society . Another is the potential for the Church to be co-opted by political interests, compromising its independence and credibility . It is crucial for both Church and State to maintain their distinct roles and to engage in respectful dialogue, always seeking the common good .
The White House's Holy Week observances and the work of the White House Faith Office highlight the complex relationship between faith and political authority. Catholic teachings emphasize the importance of both religious freedom and the autonomy of Church and State. While faith can and should inform public life, it is essential to maintain a clear distinction between the spiritual and temporal realms, avoiding both the politicization of faith and the co-option of the Church by political interests. By upholding these principles, it is possible to foster a society where people of faith can contribute to the common good while respecting the rights and beliefs of all .