We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Catholic Mass at White House: A Tale of Contrasting Administrations
FREE Catholic Classes
In a surprising revelation, a former top aide to Donald Trump disclosed that the ex-president permitted a Catholic Mass to be conducted on White House grounds in Washington, D.C., during his tenure, a move unprecedented in White House history. Mick Mulvaney, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, detailed this occurrence in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, shedding light on the stark differences between the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to religious observance.
Photo credit: Rene DeAnda
Highlights
4/9/2024 (2 weeks ago)
Published in U.S.
Keywords: Trump administration, Biden administration, Mick Mulvaney, White House Mass, religious services, presidential election
The Catholic Mass, held in the historic Old Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, was approved personally by President Trump in response to Mulvaney's request, marking a significant departure from tradition. Mulvaney emphasized the practicality of scheduling the Mass on Ash Wednesday, a period coinciding with critical budgetary deadlines, to accommodate practicing Catholics within the administration and nearby federal agencies.
Describing the event as a resounding success, Mulvaney noted the attendance of over 100 individuals, including career staffers from both the Trump and Obama administrations. Despite its popularity, the Mass was discontinued due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Regrettably, Mulvaney lamented the lack of continuity under the Biden administration, despite his encouragement to continue the religious services. Despite promises to reassess the situation post-pandemic, neither the Catholic Mass nor other religious services have resumed under President Biden's leadership.
Highlighting the contrasting approaches to religion, Mulvaney underscored Trump's willingness to embrace diverse religious practices, including Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish services alongside the Catholic Mass. In contrast, President Biden, despite identifying as a devout Catholic, has not reinstated the religious observances initiated by his predecessor.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, the divergent stances of Trump and Biden on religious matters are poised to influence public perception. Trump, addressing supporters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has positioned himself as a defender of Christian values, promising a resurgence of religious visibility in response to Biden's tenure.
The tale of the White House Mass serves as a microcosm of the broader ideological disparities between the Trump and Biden administrations.
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sacrifices of Faith: The Pro-Life Legacies of St. Gianna and Jessica Hanna
-
How to love God by caring for our bodies
-
Pope Francis calls for negotiations to End Russia-Ukraine War
-
Pope Francis Contemplates Return to U.S. for United Nations Assembly Address
-
Pope Francis Calls on Faithful to Embrace Faith, Hope, and Charity in New Teaching Series
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, April 30, 2024
- St. Pius V, Pope: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, April 30, 2024
- Prayer to Saint Joseph for Success in Work: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, April 30, 2024
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 29, 2024
- St. Catherine of Siena: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Prayer for the Dead # 3: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.