Christian leaders denounce evangelist ahead of his visit

More than 30 prominent Christian leaders in the Vancouver area, including the Vancouver Catholic archbishop and evangelical leaders, issued a public letter Friday expressing concerns about evangelist Franklin Graham ahead of a rally he plans to hold there nextweekend.

In the letter, the leaders decried Graham’s “contentious and confrontational political and social rhetoric.” More than 25,000 people are expected to attend Graham’s evangelistic “festival” March 3 to 5 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Graham, who has been controversial even among evangelicals in recent years, readfromthe Bible at President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Though he never officially endorsed Trump, he was seen as a key ally. He is the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.

Graham’s rallies are similar to the “crusades” his 98-year-old father would hold. Billy Graham served as a pastor to several presidents. The elderly evangelist was also famous for his ecumenism. But the letter seemed to suggest a fracturing of unity over the evangelist’s plans.

“(Graham) hasmadedisparaging and uncharitable remarks about Muslims and the LGBTQ+ community, while portraying the election, administration and policies of U.S. President Donald Trump as intrinsically aligned with the Christian church,” the letter says. “Such blending of politics and religion is dangerous.”

The letter was signed by Vancouver Catholic Archbishop Michael Miller, Vancouver-area Anglican BishopMelissa Skelton and Ken Shigematsu, pastor at Vancouver’sTenth Church, a popular megachurch for evangelicals.