Religious Leaders Hold Interfaith Inaugural Prayer Gathering for Mayor Nutter
By Steve Tawa
Philadelphia (CBS) – Religious leaders met this past week, inside the chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, for an Interfaith Inaugural Prayer Gathering for Mayor Nutter and the city of Philadelphia.
Along with the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter took a pledge before Monday's Inauguration, "to pray fervently for an end to violence in our region."
Pastor Louis Felton of The Mount Airy Church Of God In Christ says they 'set a spiritual tone for the next term.'
"I'm a firm believer in separation of church and state. We're separated, but we're not divorced. We still have visitation rights, and we've got to exercise them."
Pastor John Hougen of St John's Lutheran Church in Elkins Park authored the pledge for the prayer service.
"Much of our conversation with the mayor over the last few years has focused on trying to mobilize the religious community to become a greater force in joining with others to reduce violence."
The participants included Archbishop Charles Chaput, as well as Bishops, Imams, Rabbis, and ministers.
