Members of Donald Trump's cabinet have a weekly Bible study with a right-wing pastor and evangelist who has controversial views about women and Roman Catholics, it has emerged.
A copy of energy secretary Rick Perry's schedule for 5 April obtained by Fusion.net listed the hour-long meeting entitled 'Cabinet Member Bible Study'.
Although the memo did not list who else attended, it matches with claims on fundamentalist Ralph Drollinger's website that he has a weekly Bible slot with 'US Cabinet Members, Senators and Representatives in Washington'.
According to Drollinger's organisation, Capitol Ministries, several members of Trump's cabinet including Vice President Mike Pence, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and CIA Director Mike Pompeo have all sponsored the Bible studies, Fusion.net said.
The Republican supporting pastor has made no attempt to hide his own political leanings, praising Trump's administration for its power to 'change the course of America in ways that are biblical'.
He once wrote: 'It is safe to say that God is a Capitalist, not a Communist.'
Known for his controversial views, Drollinger has said of Catholicism: 'It's the world's largest false religion.'
But his most outspoken remarks have been over the role of women. In one of his weekly Bible studies he told female legislators who had children at home they were sinners, according to the Union Tribune.
'Share all your gifts and talents with your kids, while God has blessed you with offspring,' he said.
'See that as a priority for that season of your life and then come share those gifts with our great state.'
