PROVIDENCE — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence hosted 10 leaders of several different faith traditions for an Interfaith Vigil for Peace to raise awareness of the need for faith communities to work together to affect change that will benefit all of God’s people.
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, SOSc, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, led off the esteemed “cabinet” as one faith leader later called the panel, reading from the Book of Zephaniah.
In the selection, Zephaniah comes into Jerusalem to warn the elite leaders against becoming too close with princes, priests, prophets and judges, instead of their own people, showing that although more than 2,000 years have passed, global society still encounters similar political dynamics today.
“Stop trusting in them,” the prophet warned the leaders, against the sycophants who curried favor by telling them only what they wanted to hear. “No alliance will save you. God’s justice does not wait forever.”
Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, the spiritual leader of Temple Habonim in Barrington, spoke of how much the world has changed just in the few short weeks since planning for the vigil began.
“When we began to plan for this service, we were not at war. When we began to plan for this service, synagogues we were not under siege,” he said. “We believed in the power of bringing faiths together to raise us up for peace.”
The rabbi said that he hoped the even would kindle within all the participants a flame of the power of God’s goodness and truth that they could take forth with them to spread like wildfire and change lives.
“We pray that the words we hear tonight are words that we can take with us beyond these walls and that we will spread words of peace to neighbors and strangers alike.
Ehsun Mirza, a community member of the Islamic faith in Rhode Island, spoke about how at the very least within in the Abrahamic traditions prophets are revered.
Mirza said that a Muslim cannot be a Muslim if they do not believe in the prophets, especially the Abrahamic tradition ones: Moses, Jesus, Moses, Abraham and others.
“So, it does not take much to figure out that the reverence and presence of Jesus Christ in the Koran and within the Islamic traditions is massive. And how Christians, Muslims and Jews have almost always lived together and worked together in peace and harmony.”
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., represented the Roman Catholic community, delivering a rousing 14-minute call to action for people to stand up and be counted as prophets in a world desperately in need of forces for mercy and compassion to reassure those who feel that God has forgotten them.
“In these times we must be that collective voice, that goodness, that energy that is lacking in this moment,” Bishop Lewandowski said, warning of what would happen otherwise.
The bishop spoke of how faith, religion and doctrine have been coopted and used for a purpose that is not God’s.
“Someone has filled the void with a power that doesn’t lead to justice and peace, but to war, destruction, devastation and death.”
“Truth in our times has been twisted,” he noted. “Some have claimed the voice of God as their own. And some have taken it into their hands to decide the destiny of others. Where are the prophets?”
“Could it be that there are prophets here tonight who will choose to stand in the gap, mediating between God and his people in need of healing and comfort and reassurance and mercy and compassion?”
The bishop concluded by asking if there were any prophets or prophetic witnesses present, inviting them to stand. This time, everyone rose to their feet.
“In you is God’s promise to his people, proclaim it, prophesize, brothers and sisters, friends all, the world is waiting.”
The bishop received a round of applause as he proceeded back.
James Jahnz, director of the diocese’s Office of Catholic Charities and Social Ministries, planned the vigil along with Jeremy Langill, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.
Jahnz welcomed more than 400 participants to the March 26 vigil who filled the front half of the historic cathedral, which resonated with the glorious sounds of music performed by the Grace Episcopal Church Choir and the Holy Name of Jesus Church Gospel Choir.
“Knowing that each individual believes peace is a foundational tenet of their faith is what enjoins us here tonight, and that our mutual desire for tranquility, harmony and justice will overcome all turmoil, division and wrong,” he said.
Langill said that he and Jahnz developed the idea for a forum that would model the collaborative spirit they have long shared.
“If we’re going to take our faith seriously, we have to model those first steps,” Langhill said.
Rev. Dennis Bucco, the Episcopal spiritual leader of St. Luke’s and Good Shepherd congregations in Pawtucket described the evening as “fantastic.”
“It was very uplifting and beautiful to see all the traditions come together,” he said. “You realize there’s more that joins us together than separates us. And the music was fantastic. I loved the gospel choirs.”
Diane Minasian was raised in the Armenian Christian tradition and has discovered that interfaith work and dialogue is for her one of the most powerful ways to build bridges for peace.
“Because every religion is saying the same thing: how we need to elevate our souls, walk in peace and become our highest selves,” she said.
Minasian said that what spoke to her most from the evening was Bishop Lewandowski’s call to action and affirmation that we are all prophets.
“I think it’s really powerful to have us under one roof. In words and in song the spirit of peace was woven together beautifully here tonight.”
Tony Allen, a member of the Unitarian faith, attended with his wife Olivia.
“I love the idea that we are stronger together than we are alone, for sure. And Bishop Lewandowski was very, very good,” Allen said.
Regina Gaston, of Ebeneezer Baptist Church, said the evening was so good that she felt goosebumps after it concluded.
“It was so wonderful,” she said. “Everyone sang so well and the speakers were great and inspiring.”
Richard Davis attended with his wife Thamara and daughter Juliana. All are parishioners of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence.
“We loved it,” Davis said of the Interfaith Vigil for Peace. “Bishop Lewandowski’s words were very inspiring and bringing everybody together like this is the only way we can make change.”
“It is wonderful to have a bishop who stands up for this. He is the man I will follow. If he is leading, I will follow.”
