NY Mayor bans Prayer and Clergy at this year's 9/11 Memorial Service

what do you think?

Published on August 30, 2011 By lulapilgrim In Current Events

Today, I got the following Action Alert in my email box.

New York mayor bans prayer, clergy at 9/11 memorial service

The tenth anniversary of the Islamic jihadist attacks on New York on 9/11 will soon be upon us. Faith in God sustained millions of Americans on that day and the days that followed. Americans looked to God and to their spiritual leaders for comfort and guidance.

But New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has banned all clergy and all prayer from the upcoming 9/11 memorial service planned to commemorate the tragic events of that day.

In times of crisis, America’s political leaders have always turned to prayer. This includes FDR, who himself prayed on national radio on June 6, 1944, as our troops launched the invasion of Normandy.

It’s time that Mayor Bloomberg hears from all of us that this deliberate insult to the faith of Americans, and indeed to God himself, is inexcusable. As Rudy Washington, deputy mayor under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said, “This is America, and to have a memorial service where there’s no prayer, this appears to be insanity to me. I feel like America has lost its way.”

Comments (Page 2)

lulapilgrim

on Sep 09, 2011

The Lessons of 9/11

Written by John Horvat II

September 07, 2011

19Share

On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it is fitting that we reflect on what has changed in America.

Of course, no one doubts that 9/11 was a defining point in our history. All remember where they were on that fateful day. However, we would venture to say that 9/11 was more than just a shocking physical attack on our homeland. It was a symbolic attack on our way of life. It was also a rude awakening that served to shake us from an optimistic hedonistic vision of life that is the product of our Hollywood-driven culture.

In this sense, there were many lessons that we learned from the attacks. We were forced to confront reality head on and question this false vision of life. Contrary to the sentimental notion that all men are basically good, we found ourselves facing evil, irrational men capable of cold-blooded murder on a grand scale. Contrary to our relying on technology to solve all our problems, we found our technological advantage could not deliver us from this evil. In fact, our technology not only failed but they used it against us by slamming our own jets into the World Trade Center using low-tech $5 box cutters as weapons.

Shaken from a hedonistic way of life, we found ourselves facing evil and what it is capable of. And were forced to endure enormous suffering in a culture that does everything to deny it.

We were forced to endure enormous suffering in a culture that does everything to deny suffering and tries to make everything end “happily ever after.” Finally and most importantly, we were invited to turn to God for solace and strength in our suffering.

We learned all these lessons from the attacks and we do not hesitate to say that we took them to heart. America did not become discouraged but rose to the occasion in a show of strength and unity that disconcerted the enemy. Today, the al-Qaida network that engineered the attacks lies in ruins. Atop the fallen towers, a new tower arises. Another attack has not taken place.

In an impressive display of patriotism, American youth enlisted in the armed services often sacrificing promising careers to fight for our country. Contrary to our hedonistic culture, these valiant soldiers fought with great sacrifice, endured great hardship and inspired admiration and respect. Our armed forces deserve the gratitude of our nation.

God, to Whom we turned in our sorrow in 2001, has been disinvited from this year’s commemoration ceremonies.

In fact, all Americans participated in this same generosity and idealism by their support of these efforts. We believe Providence cannot but look with favor on this spirit of generosity, idealism and self-sacrifice. Indeed, when men put grand causes before their own self-interest, it opens the way for God’s grace to work.

On this tenth anniversary, we remember all these things. However, we must also realize that the fight is not over. The Islamist threat is still there as can be seen by the increasing persecution of Christians worldwide. Perhaps more disconcerting are those who would minimize the notion of this threat in the name of political correctness.

We are further reminded of the continuing cultural fight when we see that the God to whom we turned in our sorrow in 2001, has been disinvited to the ceremonies this September 11. We see that chaplains and religious leaders are not invited for New York City’s tenth anniversary commemoration “service.”

Moreover, there are those who are suing to remove the iron beam cross from the Ground Zero site. Others would build a mosque near the site.

Thus, on this September 11, all Americans are invited to remember those who tragically died and take to heart the lessons we have learned over these ten long years. However, we are also invited to embrace the cross and press the attack.

lulapilgrim

on Sep 09, 2011

September 9, 2011, 2:04 PM

Pope Sends Letter Mourning 9/11 and Condemning Terrorism

By Michael Paulson

Pope Benedict XVI, saying that he has been thinking about the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, has written a letter expressing his concern for the families of those killed on that day and decrying terrorism.

The letter, which is posted below, is addressed to Timothy M. Dolan, the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York and the president of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is dated Sept. 11 but was released by Archbishop Dolan’s office on Friday.

“On this day, my thoughts turn to the somber events of Sept. 11, 2001, when so many innocent lives were lost in the brutal assault on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania,” the pope wrote.

He took particular issue with the terrorists’ use of religion as a justification for their attacks.

“The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators’ claim to be acting in God’s name,” he said. “Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism.”

The pope praised the American people for their response to the attacks, and said he was praying “that a firm commitment to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future.”

lulapilgrim

on Sep 12, 2011

Pontiff on 9/11 Anniversary: Reject Violence as a Solution

ANCONA, Italy, SEPT. 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today remembered the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States, taking the occasion to call on nations and people to reject attempts to solve problems with violence.

The Pope is in Ancona, Italy, for the 25th National Eucharistic Congress. He recalled the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in a brief address after he celebrated the concluding Mass of the congress and before praying the midday Angelus.

"In remembering to the Lord of Life the victims of the attacks carried out that day and their families, I invite the leaders of nations and men of good will to always reject violence as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hatred and to act in society, inspired by the principles of solidarity, justice and peace," the Holy Father said.

The Pontiff also noted how Ancona is near Loreto. Tradition holds that the home in which Mary dwelled in Nazareth was carried by angels and is kept t the Loreto shrine.

"The Angelus prayer invites us to mirror ourselves in Mary Most Holy to contemplate the abyss of love from which the Sacrament of the Eucharist comes," the Pope said. "Thanks to the Virgin's 'fiat,' the Word became flesh and came to dwell among us."

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Sep 13, 2011

Jesus also said "let the dead bury the dead, you follow me." We can mourn; there is a place for that; but we need to move on. We can't dwell and stay there. There's too much work to still do.

I totally disagreed with what I was seeing in many of the churches this past Sunday. Many were dedicating their services to 9/11 victims. They turned their services into Patriotic services somewhat similar to July 4th services where the flag is displayed and the fallen are honored.

Is that what honors God? Is that why we come together to worship? I don't think so.

We hear a lot of "God Bless America." Merely reciting these words is not going to make it happen. Almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 horrific attack yet we totally dismiss the fact that there are that many each day dying thru the abortion war. We are deceiving ourselves if we think God is going to bless this nation while we continue to do so.

We want God's favor but we, as a whole really do not want God. Do we really want God's blessing? Lives and laws need to be transformed before our country can be expected to be recipients of God's blessing. Are we willing for that type of change? I don't think so.

lulapilgrim

on Sep 13, 2011

Well said, KFC.

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