By Faith News Note,
Easter 2013 seemed to be the most political in many years.
Obama Church sermon: Most eye catching was the church Obama attended. The Rev. Luis Leon oft St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington gave the Easter sermon to Obama and his congregation which turned out to be quite political in nature and tone. Leon said the Religious Right is backward on their priorities “It drives me crazy when the captains of the religious right are always calling us back … for blacks to be back in the back of the bus … for women to be back in the kitchen … for immigrants to be back on their side of the border. The message of Easter is about the power of love over loveless power.” (see more CNN ). Watch news clip below.
Pope Francis’ words take greater meaning. The newly elected Pope Francis officiated Easter week celebrations and the words he used to talk about helping the poor and respecting the environment were immediately picked up by others in a political context. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse used the Pope to introduce a carbon tax bill saying, “We have a new Pope, Pope Francis, who said last week that our relation with God’s creation is not very good right now.” Also referring to Pope Francis, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, went on ABC’s “Face the Nation” to talk about how Pope Francis’ words may set a new tone and dialogue for the church and also for the many civic issues they contend with including abortion and marriage. Watch the video interview below.
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