Bend interfaith prayer vigil held for Pope Francis
In light of the historic visit by Pope Francis to the U.S., Central Oregonians from religious and non-religious backgrounds held an interfaith prayer vigil Tuesday evening.
Hours after the pope arrived in Washington to begin his six-day, three-city tour, dozens of Central Oregonians gathered at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend to mark the special occasion.
The Rev. Steven Koski from First Presbyterian Church said the papal visit is an opportunity for everyone to share his message.
“He really has a message inviting us to reach out and care for the poor and the weak and vulnerable. And be a more caring and just community for not just some but all people,” Koski said.
“And that’s something that people perhaps have many differences, in terms of their faith traditions, want to unite — and not only affirm and pray for him but unite in that message in love,” he added.
Richard Groves from the Sacred Art of Living Center said the pope focuses on inclusion rather than exclusion, and that’s rippling across many traditions. As part of that inclusion, Groves led and sang a Jewish prayer on Yom Kippur.
“Our hope is to also unite as one human family, praying that this might be a moment in time, a moment in history where there might be some healing, where there is so much brokenness,” Koski said..
