Notably absent from the lineup are representatives from Islam or Indigenous spiritual traditions, or leaders from mainline Christian or historically Black denominations.
From RNS:
A slate of political, military and religious leaders is scheduled to participate in a major faith-themed event on the National Mall next month, where members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, musical guests and a list of mostly conservative Christian speakers plan to lead participants in “solemnly rededicating our country as One Nation under God.”
The event, titled “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” is part of a series of events and initiatives designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Organized by the group Freedom 250 as part of a public-private partnership with the White House and other government bodies, the gathering roughly coincides with the anniversary of an order sent by then-General George Washington in 1776 seconding the Continental Congress’ call for a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer.”
The speaker lineup for the Rededicate event, which is scheduled for May 17 and expected to last all day, appears to reflect the core of Trump’s base of conservative religious support: Speakers are almost entirely Christian and mostly evangelical, with some notable conservative Catholics.
According to a list provided to Religion News Service, among the major political figures on the lineup are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Catholic, who will speak via video; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who worships in churches associated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches; and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist. Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, a Seventh-day Adventist, will also speak, as will Monica Crowley, the chief of protocol of the U.S., and retired Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady.
An array of evangelical pastors is also on the docket to speak. Some have served as evangelical advisers to Trump…
…Two Catholic bishops are participating: Bishop Robert Barron, who leads the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota; and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who recently retired from his position as bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Both prelates sit on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, but Barron will speak in person, while Dolan is submitting a video message.
The only non-Christian religious leader listed is Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, who leads Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City and also serves on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission.
Notably absent from the lineup are representatives from other non-Christian faiths, such as Islam or Indigenous spiritual traditions, or leaders from mainline Christian or historically Black denominations.
