Pro-Trump Group Banned from Calling Itself 'Catholic'

Archbishop Vigneron of Detroit

"Church Militant", the pro-Trump, right-wing group has been denounced by the Archbishop of Detroit and forbidden from calling itself 'Catholic.'   Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron is generally considered a conservative in politics, temperament and theology.  'Church Militant is headquartered in the Archdiocese.  

The offending action was a video produced and released by the right wing group making racist and other derogatory attacks on Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory, calling him a "Marxist" and the "African Queen."  

Michael Voris, the founder of Church Militant, repeatedly refers to Gregory as “the African Queen” throughout the video. 

The Archbishop released a statement condemning the video saying “Racist and derogatory speech wrongfully diminishes the God-given dignity of others.  It is not in accord with the teachings of Christ. As our nation continues its important conversation on racism, it is my hope that the faithful will turn from this and all other acts or attitudes which deny the inherent dignity shared by all people.”

The archdiocese issued an additional statement late Friday evening calling out Church Militant by name.

"The Archdiocese of Detroit unequivocally condemns the offensive language used in reference to Archbishop Gregory and advises the faithful that Church Militant is not affiliated with, endorsed, or recommended by the Archdiocese of Detroit," the statement read.

Church Militant was reprimanded by the archdiocese in 2011 when it was told to change its name from "Real Catholic TV" because it "lacked the authorization required under Church law to identify or promote itself as Catholic."