John Danforth is best known as a powerful U.S. Senator and former Ambassador to the United Nations.  But, he is also an ordained Episcopal priest.  In a recent speech, Sen. Danforth said, “The loudest religious voices, whether they're Muslim voices, Christian voices, whatever ... are the people who advocate divisiveness, conflict, differences,”  His Distinguish Lecture on “Faith and Politics” will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22 in the Theater at Saint Michael. 

John Danforth served 18 years in the United States Senate from Missouri, retiring in 1995.  In 2001 he was appointed U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan where he brokered a peace agreement in the civil war between Sudan’s Islamic government and Christian-backed rebels.  In 2004, Danforth served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. 

As an Episcopal priest, he officiated at the funeral services for former President Ronald Reagan at the Washington National Cathedral.  He has served as honorary associate at St. Alban’s Church in Washington, a member of the governing board of Washington Cathedral, honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis, assistant rector at the Church of the Epiphany in New York City, and assistant chaplain for New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kattering Cancer Center.

The cost of the Distinguished Lecture is $10 per person.