President Donald Trump has issued a statement addressed to Catholic schools to commemorate National Catholic Schools Week. He commended educators under these institutions for their "tremendous work" and acknowledged that they are "vital to our success and prosperity as a country."
The statement, which has been published in the White House official page, had the president also thanking Catholic schools who guide two million students every day. "I appreciate the many ways in which Catholic schools nurture devotion, impart wisdom, and minister," the president said.
Fortune reports despite exit polls saying otherwise, Trump received a solid support from Catholics during the elections (52 percent) compared to when Obama won the presidency (9 and 2 percent for each term). Many support Trump for his stand on abortion and contraception, as well as other issues that civil society structured in the name of progress, such as gender-free bathrooms.
Crux Now reports Catholics are hopeful President Trump will remain steadfast in his pro-life policies, human rights stance and teachings that the Church supports. "The government should not be in the position to coerce consciences," Rep. Chris Smith said.
Among the president's very first orders was actually a victory for Catholics. He signed a policy that was enforced during the Reagan administration, which bars U.S. funding for international non-government organizations (NGOs) that perform or promote abortion. Most affected are agencies that provide health care and family planning initiatives in developing countries.
"The President, it's no secret, has made it very clear that he's a pro-life president," Sean Spicer, the press secretary said, according to CNN. "The reinstatement of this policy is not just something that echoes that value, but respects taxpayer funding as well."
The president, however, is not immune to criticisms from Catholic Church leaders. BBC reports that some think his travel ban on Muslims could be putting Catholics in the Middle East at risk. It could also make the U.S. an even bigger target with extremists.
"I think safety, in the long run, is not secured by fear, it's secured by improving relationships, it's secured by getting to know people around you," Cardinal Vincent Nichols said. "In that sense [it's] opening up things, not shutting them down."
