Prime-time catechism lesson on CNN  

A live TV interview turned into a theology lesson gone viral when a CNN anchor challenged a Florida congressman over his understanding of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. 

CNN host Chris Cuomo and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. were discussing the reported existence of secret text messages related to the alleged abuse of federal surveillance warrants. 

At one point, Gaetz called the missing texts the “biggest coincidence since the Immaculate Conception.” Pressed by Cuomo about what he meant by the analogy, Gaetz asserted that the Immaculate concept was “how Jesus was born.” 

Cuomo seized on the misstep: “No it wasn’t, it was Mary’s conception, it was the mother’s conception without original sin. It was not the conception of Jesus,” Cuomo said. “Facts matter, Congressman. If you’re going to make an analogy, at least know what you’re talking about, because you have to have a basis for these things.” 

The exchange quickly gathered attention on social media, with some noting that Cuomo attended an Immaculate Conception elementary school as a child in Queens. 

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