WASHINGTON (RNS) — A broad array of religious and political leaders across the country issued outpourings of support for former President Jimmy Carter following news of his death, heaping praise on the evangelical Christian Democrat known for teaching Sunday School and being unapologetic about his faith.
Among the first to mourn the passing of Carter, who died on Sunday (Dec. 29) at age 100, was Sen. Raphael Warnock, a fellow Georgian. Warnock, who also serves as pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, recalled how Carter and his family visited Ebenezer and dined with Warnock’s family. Warnock said Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had held his 2-month-old daughter as the group broke bread together.
“Jimmy Carter is a shining example of what it means to make your faith come alive through the noble work of public service,” Warnock said in a statement, later adding, “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.”
President Joe Biden, a Catholic who is slated to eulogize Carter at his state funeral scheduled for Jan. 9, also lauded Carter in a statement.
“To all of the young people in this nation …