Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, admitted on Sunday that he is dumbfounded over why so many American Christians fervently support President Donald Trump.
“There’s two things going through my mind: do I say what I think, or do I say what I should say?” Welby said during an appearance on ITV on Sunday. “And I’m going to say what I think. No, I don’t understand it.”
He continued, “I really genuinely do not understand where that is coming from.”
Welby’s response came after he was asked if he understands why “fundamentalist Christians are so supportive of Donald Trump.”
In the end, he said that he would attend a potential future state dinner with Trump if and when the U.S. president visits England, with Welby explaining that he has met in the past with people with whom he fervently disagrees.
“You know, part of the job is to meet people you disagree with, and to testify with the love of Christ to them and to seek to draw them in to a different way,” Welby said.
.@JustinWelby tells us what he thinks about Christian support for Donald Trump, but says he will meet him if a state visit happens. #Peston pic.twitter.com/6eJh73WRZU
— Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) November 26, 2017
The archbishop’s comments come amid ongoing debate over Christian support for Trump, as the president has been known for his brash and oft-times offensive words.
A poll conducted in August found that 62 percent of white evangelicals approved of Trump, down from 73 percent early on in Trump’s presidency, as The New York Post reported.
In the end, the dynamics are certainly complex, and Welby’s comments are sure to spark renewed discussion and debate.