Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Randal Edgar
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- With a new session of the General Assembly set to open this afternoon, lawmakers received some added support from Rhode Island's faith community.

More than 300 gathered at the State House rotunda for a prayer vigil, praying for the state's lawmakers and leaders to govern "with wisdom and compassion."

The vigil was organized by the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition formed this past summer to serve as a faith-based voice to fight poverty.

About 40 religious leaders attended. One by one, some spoke and prayed, while others read the names of the state's elected leaders.

"You must make a decision at this time whether you are going to cooperate," said the Rev. Dr. Liliana DaValle, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island. "If not, God will do so with another generation."

Coalition leaders said their next step will be to ask all churches, temples, mosques and places of prayer to invite their local elected leaders to attend a service and for them to be prayed for.

They sent their messages between 3 and 4 o'clock. As 4:30 p.m. neared, bells could be heard ringing to call legislators to session.

 Tags  politics prayer vigil R.I. General Assembly R.I. State House

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