A prayer for Osama bin Laden?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The congregation of a Florida church is divided over a decision to include the name of terrorist leader leader Osama bin laden on its prayer list.

Henry Borga, a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, added the al Qaeda leader's name to a list of people to be remembered during this Sunday's service.

Borga told Palm Beach Post reporter Rochelle Ritchie his Catholic faith teaches that even the mastermind of the 9/11 plot that killed nearly 3,000 people deserves forgiveness and compassion from God.

Borga's act was in response to the celebratory reactions many expressed upon news of bin Laden's death, including cheering crowds outside the White House.

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Father Gavin Badway told the Post he understands why some people would not want to pray for bin Laden, but says the prayer request must be honored. "We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us," he said.

Local media report other members of the church are divided.

Luis Pizzano told station WPTV that including bin Laden's name on the prayer list is "sacrilegious."

But some churchgoers supported Borga's request to prayer for the terrorist's soul. Vince Stankey told station WPBF, "As a Catholic, I have to pray for him."