Reston Church Hosts Interfaith Prayer Service

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/27/03)

RESTON — In the moments before the first U.S. military air strikes over Baghdad, residents of Fairfax and Loudon Counties gathered to pray for peace at an interfaith prayer service. The service, held at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston, included participants from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Baptist, Quaker and Catholic faith traditions.

With prayer, song and moments of silence, representatives from each denomination expressed sadness that efforts to avoid war were not successful and hope that the inevitable destruction wrought by war would be minimal.

"Good and gracious God, we stand on the brink of war," said Suzanne Rudiselle, pastor of United Christian Parish in Reston. Our passionate appeals to persuade our government to find another way, to change the course of events, have failed. Our prayers have drawn us closer to you, but have not effected change in our national policy. Still, we trust that in your overarching care there is hope beyond what we are able to see. Today we gather to pray for all those whose lives are at risk on both sides, especially for the children. We pray for a swift resolution to this conflict."

Jesuit Father John Langan, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin professor of Catholic social thought at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, discussed moral considerations in light of the current political situation. Father Langan referred to the story of Abraham’s test of faith in the Book of Genesis as part of the "common heritage of Jews, Christians and Muslims."

"This is a troubling story. We are afraid of what God asks of us. We would all welcome at this point a ram, or something that would rescue us from this difficult crisis," he said. "But we stand back with reverence before God and humility. We must pray for those who are responsible for making decisions, and for those who suffer in this crisis. A lot has taken place in a political context to bring us this point. And this is as it should be. But this is also a time for prayer and reflection to hear what God asks of us."

One of the main themes of national and international discussion, Father Langan said, was whether this was a "just war." Father Langan reviewed the principles of the just war tradition, briefly outlining the questions and moral considerations that have formed much of the public debate.

"Some of us have made a small industry in writing articles. Criteria for just war are not simple, straightforward criteria," he said. "One of the key issues of debate is whether there is just cause. This leads to questions of what is legitimate authority and whether indeed war is last resort. But, can even a just war be prevented?"

Two important lines of consideration, he said, were the issues of proportionality and discrimination. According to the principle of proportionality, strategic decisions should produce a balance of good over harm. Further, he said that the lives of civilians are not to be directly attacked. He acknowledged that although President Bush is sensitive to this, it would be a difficult task "if a central part of our strategy is to seize control of a country of five million people."

Amidst the grave concerns on the part of many over whether war is just, Father Langan said there are important points that most people agree upon, including the need to carefully consider the wider implications of war, the future of world order and the United Nations. In addition, he said we can all agree on "the evil nature of Saddam Hussein’s regime, that more good would be accomplished by some form of democracy in the Middle East than the present regime, and the need to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of capricious and despotic rulers."

Above all, cultivating a "spirit of charity and civic virtue at home" with a view to the future and the restoration of peace is the task set before all of us.

"We need also to acknowledge a shared humanity across deep religious and political lines. This sounds good, but getting there is difficult," he warned. "We have to get there through deep human divisions, through conflict and bloodshed. As we wage war, we need to not demonize the enemy. Through this time of risk and uncertainty, we need to be humble and patient. As people of faith, Jews, Christians and Muslims, a central part of this gathering tonight and how we will get through this period is prayer. This is itself a special grace."

Ministers and representatives from various faiths offered brief prayers following Father Langan’s talk.

Mukit Hossain of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society said, "In times of distress, Muslims draw inspiration from examples in the life of the prophet Mohammed. "If you have a palm sapling and you know that Armageddon is only a short distance away, plant your palm sapling. Today we are to do what is entrusted to us. Tomorrow is in the hands of God," he said.

Other religious leaders included Rev. Mary Alice Glenn of the Southgate Outreach Mission in Reston, Pastor Sandi John of the Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Tiny-Yi Oei of the Herndon Friends Meeting, Deacon Willie Brown of the Martin Luther King Christian Church, Rabbi Rosalind Gold of Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation and the St. Thomas à Becket Contemporary Choir.

Joseph and Marcia Stowers, parishioners at St. Thomas à Becket Parish, led efforts to organize the prayer service.

"Marcia and I were delighted to have a marvelous turnout. We wanted the focus of this service to be on prayer rather than discussion," Stowers said.

In closing, Father Langan summed the evening by saying, "It characterizes the best of Reston that we act ecumenically and have this kind of lay leadership."

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