The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has said she is “outraged” after police officers used tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters from her churchyard for Donald Trump to stage a photo-op outside holding a Bible.

The US president walked from the White House to St John’s Episcopal Church, and holding aloft the religious text, he said: “We have the greatest country in the world. We’re going to keep it safe.”

It followed days of nationwide protests – some of which have turned violent and have involved rioting, looting and police officers being shot at – over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Reverend Mariann Budde, whose diocese St. John’s belongs to, said she was given no warning about Mr Trump’s visit on Monday, and no permission was sought for the photo opportunity.

The bishop told MSNBC the president was “preceded by a violent clearing of non-violent protesters”.

“He was using our church as the backdrop and the Bible as a prop in ways that I found to be deeply offensive”.

In a separate interview she said the president used the opportunity to share “a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our churches stand for”.

“He sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the churchyard. I am outraged,” she told CNN.

“The president did not pray when he came to St John’s… nor did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now, and in particular, that of the people of colour in our nation, who wonder if anyone ever – anyone in public power will ever acknowledge their sacred words. And who are rightfully demanding an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

“And I just want the world to know, that we in the diocese of Washington… we distance ourselves from the incendiary language of this president.”

She added: “We align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others.

“And I just can’t believe what my eyes have seen.”

She said she has been fielding phone calls, messages and emails from people across the country angered by the president’s actions.

Source: Read Full Article