NH State Rep's 'Pope is Anti-Christ' Comment Causes Furor

ROCHESTER, NH - Catholics and the national political press are criticizing a Republican state representative for comments made on Facebook likening the Pope to the anti-Christ.

State Rep. Susan DeLemus, R-Rochester, took to Facebook last week at about the same time that Pope Francis’ comments attacked Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Christian beliefs because he was proposing a wall on the southern part of the United States to stem the tide of illegal aliens coming over the porous border.

In the comment, DeLemus posted one of her favorite Psalms, Psalm 31:14-15, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thine hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”

One of her friends asked, “Did you happen to see what the Pope said about Mr. Trump? That he wasn’t a Christian all because he wanted to build a wall for our protection? The Pope is a disgrace!”

DeLemus countered: “The Pope is the anti-Christ. Do your research.”

Another friend suggested that if the Pope accepted Christ as his personal savior, how could he also be the anti-Christ.

“How can anyone for that matter?,” he continued. “Look into your heart, Susan, and you will find the answer.”

“I’m not sure who the Pope truly has in his heart,” DeLemus answered.

Another friend wrote: “I don’t know if he is the actual anti-Christ, but he is definitely one of their servants.”

TalkingPointsMemo.com requested clarification and DeLemus stated that she was referring to the papacy not Pope Francis but added that some Protestants believe that papacy is the anti-Christ, and was using the Geneva Bible, thought to be one of the most historical translations of the Bible and slightly older than the King James version.

The comment created a firestorm on Twitter with a number of people, especially Catholics, condemning the remarks. Others were more snarky with their comments asking, “I thought Obama was the anti-Christ.”

Both Susan DeLemus and her husband, Jerry DeLemus, of the Rochester 9-12 group, were active supporters in the Trump effort here in New Hampshire and have been involved in tea party groups and rallies for a number of years. In 2012, they endorsed Rick Santorum in the primary. Jerry DeLemus attempted to run for sheriff in Strafford County in 2014. He has also gone to Nevada to stand with militia members at the Bundy ranch during stand-offs with the government there and recently was in Concord with others protecting the local Armed Forces Career Center.