Trump says he's 'Best President in history of the Church' in call with Catholic leaders. THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP. Thank you President Trump for SUPPORTING the Catholic FAITH. I am happy Melania is a PRACTICING Catholic. She is the 1st First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy to bring the Catholic Faith into the White House. "NEW YORK - President Donald Trump identified himself as the “Best [President] in the history of the Catholic Church” in a conference call for Catholic leaders and educators Saturday, where he warned that issues at stake in the upcoming presidential election, particularly on abortion and religious liberty, “have never been more important for the Church.” Trump also pledged support for Catholic schools in light of the global coronavirus pandemic. In an audio recording of the meeting obtained by Crux, the president repeatedly emphasized his support for the pro-life movement and school choice, attempting to paint a stark contrast between HIS ADMINISTRATION and what a Democratic presidency could mean for CATHOILCS. Crux was told by two participants that over 600 people were on the call, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Michael C. Barber of Oakland, chair of the USCCB committee of Catholic Education, as well as the superintendents of Catholic schools for Los Angeles and Denver, among others. In his opening remarks, the President noted that he was joined on the call by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Secretary of Housing and Education Ben Carson. Saturday’s call comes just one week after the President held another call with faith leaders on April 17, which also included the participation of Dolan and Gomez, meant to discuss the re-opening of houses of worship, but where the president also sought reelection support. In his opening remarks, the President thanked Catholic educators for their efforts in distance learning during the pandemic, as well as the spiritual support they are providing to families. Citing his own childhood of growing up next to a Catholic parish and school in Queens, New York, the President characterized Catholic schools as “a source of STRENGHT, HOPE, OPPORTUNITY for communities across the country.” The President also referenced the COVID-19 paycheck protection program, which was included in the initial relief package passed by Congress in March to provide forgivable paycheck loans. The President told participants on the call that he INSISTED that Catholic institutions be included in the program or “I wouldn’t do the deal.” Dolan was the first to speak, whom the president hailed as a “great gentleman” and a “great friend of mine,” adding that he respects what the cardinal “asks for.” The New York cardinal said he was “honored to be the lead-off batter, and the feelings are mutual sir,” noting that the two had been on the phone often in recent months and joking that the cardinal’s 90-year-old mom in Missouri says “I call you more than I call her.” https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/04/trump-says-hes-best-president-in-history-of-the-church-in-call-with-catholic-leaders/