U.S. pastors has louded Trump for identifying churches, mosque and other worship centres as essential services.
Trump has on Friday last week questioned why liquor stores and abortion centers were deemed essential by states governors but failed to recognize churches and other worship centres as essential services. He however demanded that states governors should recognize worship centers as essential and allow them to reopen.
Trump also disclosed that he has plans to “override” governors who are not allowing churches to reopen.
During a White House news conference on Friday trump said;
At my direction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is issuing guidance for communities of faith. I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services,”
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship — that’s not right. So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential.”
"We need more prayer, not less." pic.twitter.com/eTEEILk50G
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 22, 2020
Trump statement was well received among the Christian communities and now their leaders are now speaking up in support of the president’s call.
Jentezen Franklin, the senior pastor of Free Chapel a multi-site church based in Gainesville, Georgia, has showered praises on the president over his comments.
in a Twitter post, the clergyman said, “Thank you Mr President! @realDonaldTrump you always have the back of people of Faith!!!”
“We appreciate this very much. We will use wisdom about reopening but it’s our call, not the governments!!!!” Franklin added.
Thank you Mr President! @realDonaldTrump you always have the back of people of Faith!!! We appreciate this very much. We will use wisdom about reopening but it’s our call not the governments!!!! https://t.co/vq8s42Wc2m
— Jentezen Franklin (@Jentezen) May 22, 2020
Another clergyman Rodriguez, who is the leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, thanked the president “for federally recognizing this truth.”
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of New Season church in Sacramento, California, wrote that “the spiritual health of our nation is essential. Churches can reopen safely with all CDC recommendations in place.”
