Franklin Graham, Cardinal Dolan to take part in Trump inauguration

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Rev. Franklin Graham will take part in President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony next month, Trump’s inaugural committee announced Wednesday.

Dolan, the archbishop of New York, was critical of Trump’s stance on immigration during the campaign, writing an op-ed in The Washington Post addressing why Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric was “so problematic.”

Graham, who runs the relief organization Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, offered some defense of Trump during the businessman’s White House bid.

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After the release of a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump is heard making lewd comments about women, Graham argued on Facebook that while Trump’s comments couldn’t be “defended” the most important issue of the election was the Supreme Court.

Other faith leaders that will offer readings at the inaugural ceremony Jan. 20 include the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Pastor Paula White of New Destiny Christian Center, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International and Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Tom Barrack, the Presidential Inaugural Committee chairman, said in a statement that our “leaders have paid tribute to the blessings of liberty that have been bestowed upon our country and its people” since the first inaugural ceremony.

“I am pleased to announce that a diverse set of faith leaders will offer readings and prayers,” he said, adding that the leaders would “honor the vital role religious faith plays in our multicultural, vibrant nation.”