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Archbishop Chaput Shares Harsh Views On Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput was in Indiana on Thursday, giving a speech at the University of Notre Dame. In it, he discussed both candidates for President, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Chaput said, referring to the GOP candidate, "belligerent demagogue with an impulse control problem." Of Clinton he said, "criminal liar, uniquely rich in stale ideas and bad priorities."

Those are just some of the ways Chaput says that voters view the 2016 candidates for the White House.

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"I would have to agree with him, I suppose," said Elizabeth Staub. "I have a hard time choosing either candidate."

In his speech, Chaput also called out state and local leaders, embroiled in controversy saying "I come from a place where the state attorney general was just convicted of nine felonies. The FBI is investigating Philadelphia's District Attorney."

The D.A.'s office, in response, told Eyewitness News, "thankfully, we live in a country where everyone is afforded the opportunity to voice their opinions, receive due process and are afforded presumption of innocence."

A spokesman for the Archdiocese told Eyewitness News that Archbishop Chaput's comments speak for themselves and had nothing further to say, but others had plenty to add to the conversation.

Karen Miller, from Cincinnati, says she's been practicing Catholicism for more than 50 years. "I think there is no place for religion in politics. The Pope, the archbishop, whomever, should stay out of politics. Politics are ugly enough."

However, leading constituents and following the Roman Catholic faith is something Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey is known for. His only comment Friday, "I'm a public official and fortunately in this country, we try to keep those two worlds separate."

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Others say Chaput's comments, though harsh, are warranted.

"Maybe it's not his place as a religious leader, but I guess he has the right to speak too," said John Gravel.

Despite different viewpoints, a belief they cling to is this:

"We're still a great nation," said Miller.

 

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