St. Mark?s Cathedral on Tuesday offered citizens a quiet 12-hour-long election day refuge from jabbering TV pundits, the last nasty negative ads, sign-waving candidates, nonstop robo calls, and ceaseless e-mails with phony petitions and appeals for campaign cash.
The Episcopal cathedral atop Capitol Hill opened doors of its Thomsen Chapel to those wishing to pray for America, an understandable emotion in view of the nasty campaign America has just lived through.
St. Mark's Cathedra Dean, the Very Rev. Steven Thomason, with his wife Kathy.
The cathedral?s new dean, the Very Rev. Steven Thomason, led a small congregation in a civics-oriented noonday prayer service.? Its appeals:
?O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the Earth.? Lord, keep this nation under your care.
?To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of our duties.? Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
?To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities and Towns, give courage, wisdom and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.? Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
?To the Judges and officers of our Courts, give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.? Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
?And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and? honor your holy Name.?
Religion has played a major role in Campaign 2012.? Nationally, conservative Catholic bishops have campaigned from their pulpits against such alleged Obama sins as requiring that contraceptive coverage be included in health care plans for women.? A group of liberal Catholic women religious, the ?Nuns on the Bus,? have taken to the road protesting deep cuts in social services in a budget authored by Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan.
In this state, Catholic bishops and fundamentalist congregations have campaigned against same-sex marriage.? Mainline Protestant and Jewish leaders, along with a lay group called Catholics for Marriage Equality, have supported marriage equality.
None of this intruded at Thomsen Chapel on Tuesday.? Instead, there was liturgical language that carried a message to all in the country:
?Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning and pure manners.? Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.? Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one? united people.?
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