Episode 172 - "George Washington: Champion of Religious Liberty" with John Berlau

<p>The Basilica of Saint Mary hosted a lecture with John Berlau titled “George Washington: Champion of Religious Liberty” on February 9, 2021.</p> <p>Throughout his life of public service, George Washington promoted freedom for Catholics, Jews and other religious minorities. Even though he was not Catholic, Washington made a financial contribution towards the establishment of our parish at the request of his friend and aide-de-camp Colonel John Fitzgerald.</p> <p>In a recent piece in <em>National Review</em>, Berlau wrote that the Basilica of Saint Mary is a “monument to Washington’s vision of religious freedom.”</p> <p>Berlau is the author of the new book <em>George Washington, Entrepreneur</em>. </p> <p><em>Founded in 1795, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Old Town Alexandria is the first Catholic parish established in Virginia. Pope Francis named the church a minor basilica on December 6, 2017 due to its important role in the growth of the Catholic Church in North America.</em></p>