PROVIDENCE — Religious leaders and concerned citizens from across the state gathered January 5 in the State House rotunda for an interfaith vigil entitled “One Voice: Fighting Poverty with Faith” to offer support for elected officials as they began the 2010 legislative session.
The second annual vigil was sponsored by the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition, whose mission is to organize the state’s faith community “into a force that can be mobilized and is to be reckoned with at the federal, state, and city/town levels on matters impacting the poor, the vulnerable and the disenfranchised.”
The service began with the blowing of the Shofar, by Douglas Emanuel, in keeping with the Jewish tradition of using a ram’s horn to call the community to assembly. Following a music presentation by noted singer Cheryl Albright and guitarist Rachel Smith, and a welcome by Maxine Richman, co-chair of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition, a statement was read by Father John Kiley, diocesan ecumenical officer and pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Warwick.
“Twenty-first century poverty in America is not the rustic hardship that bred hardy souls in the past, “ Father Kiley said. “Poverty in the modern world is a cycle of deprivation and desperation.
“Unlike the humble but honest livings of the past, modern poverty robs the individual of self-esteem, the family of support, and the community of that ‘social capital’ that Pope Benedict XVI highlights in his recent encyclical ‘Charity in Truth,’” he continued. “By social capital His Holiness means the combined energy, inventiveness, and talent found in the human family. When many of our fellow citizens are constrained by unemployment and illiteracy and even by hunger and disease, the whole society suffers. Because of poverty, civilization’s greatest resource, the human person, is prevented from sharing his intelligence, his gifts, and his uniqueness with the world at large. Thus mankind’s social capital is depleted.
“Poverty makes poorer persons of us all,” Father Kiley observed. “The elimination of poverty in Rhode Island over the next ten years will improve the living standard of all citizens. Elevating the poor will actually enrich the prosperous.”
Passages were then read from many traditions by religious leaders, unified as one voice to reduce poverty in Rhode?Island. Those gathered responded “Aloha, Shalom, Salaam, Amen, Namaste” honoring the various religious traditions.
“In his visit to Rhode Island in December, Elie Wiesel said, ‘There is one commandment that should be engraved on the front of every building: Thou shalt not stand idly by. If you are faced with someone in distress or in need — and you are not there to help — you are not following the commandment,’” one clergyman read.
“Ancient wisdom literature reminds us, ‘He who oppresses the poor, blasphemes his Maker. He who is gracious to the needy honors God,’” read another.
Minister Linda Watkins, a minister at the Pleasant Street Baptist Church in Westerly, and vice president of Amos House, Providence, said it was important for her to attend the service to show her concern for those less fortunate.
“I am here to encourage, along with other clergy in Rhode Island, our General Assembly to have a heart of compassion and concern for the poor in our state, and that as they make decisions that affect many lives this year, they will look out for all of our state’s residents, particularly the most vulnerable in Rhode Island,” said Minister Watkins. “We want them to know that we will be praying for them as they make these difficult decisions and try to do the right thing.”
Virginia Gonsalves, a parishioner of Our Lady of Loreto Church, East Providence, said she has witnessed an increased demand for food and other essential goods and services at the sites where she volunteers. “I want justice for everyone, especially for those who are in need,” she said.
Several participants then came forward and read the names of statewide office holders, members of the General Assembly, mayors and town administrators to ask that they govern with wisdom and compassion during the legislative season.
