In response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Thursday, May 4, instructing the Treasury and the IRS not to enforce provisions in the Johnson Amendment regarding political activity in churches and nonprofit organizations, the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral, released the following statement:

“My job as a priest is not to endorse a politician of any particular political persuasion, but to proclaim the good news of God’s redeeming love as revealed to us in Jesus. Easing the restrictions of the Johnson Amendment has the potential to deepen the ideological divides in this country and fracture congregations, not bridge them. This move will politicize churches, distract us from our intended mission and further polarize the people we are attempting to unite.”