Religious Leaders Gather to Talk Of Peace, Unity
By Ron Sanders
CBS 4
In the Boston area, many people observed the September 11 anniversary with prayer. Boston's Historic Trinity Church was open to people of all faiths for prayer and meditation.
Lighting the way, inviting others to follow, diverse religious leaders in Massachusetts' Trinity Church came together soon after September 11, 2001 to share their values of unity and peace in response to those who use religion to divide and go to war.
If you listen closely, five years later, you can hear their voices blend into one.
"I'm really moved at how far we've come in deepening our understanding here in greater Boston among various faith groups," said Nancy Kaufman of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
"We're opening up doors for dialogue between ourselves but also dialogue so that our congregations will come to know one another," said Imam Abdullah Farruug of the Islamic Council of New England.
"To underscore those values that bring us together and make us one and that's what we're trying to do here today," said Cardinal O'Malley.
"But we also said people still need to learn how to talk with each other and we're ready to help them do that," said Rev. Diane Kessler of the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
"So that one day our benevolent lord may lead us to peace and prosperity in every corner of the universe," a member of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.
The ultimate appeal leaders of the interfaith group here are making on this September 11 anniversary is that sustained dialogue and relationships can replace barriers with bridges so strangers become neighbors and neighbors become friends.