Thousands Sign Christian Petition Urging Bishops Not to Back Donald Trump

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Thousands have signed a progressive Christian group's petition calling for Catholic bishops to drop support for ex-President Donald Trump.

Faithful America, which backs social justice causes and opposes "Christian nationalism," urged Catholics to condemn bishops who "boost the Christofascist campaign of Donald Trump" in a recently launched online petition that had been signed by over 12,500 as of Friday afternoon.

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Faithful America urged Catholics to sign the petition because "Pope Francis has been clear: Bishops should behave in a more pastoral manner than this," while asserting that "Christian-nationalist politicians like Donald Trump and their vile, hate-based policies do not speak for us -- or for Jesus."

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The group mentioned in particular the "disturbing praise of Trump" from Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan and former Bishop Joseph Strickland, of Tyler, Texas, "inappropriately" endorsing a sermon that erroneously claimed Democrats cannot be Catholic

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The Gospel teaches love, equality, and dignity -- all values that the MAGA movement clearly rejects," it continues. "Please listen to the millions of faithful, loving Catholics and allies who want bishops to stay out of this election."

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During a meeting in Portugal last year, Francis criticized some conservative American Catholics for "backwardness" in putting their political ideology above church doctrine, arguing that "ideologies replace faith" among "reactionary" Catholics.

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