Faith leaders face a particularly difficult challenge in the wake of Joe Biden’s projected victory over President Trump: How to help their congregations heal after what may have been the most divisive election in U.S. history.
“Part of that is acknowledging things that have happened over the last four years that have hurt communities of color, immigrants and the environment, and have stoked the flames of racism in our nation,” said the Rev. Willie Bodrick, senior pastor-elect at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.
“My hope is we move toward healing by prioritizing justice so we might reimagine a country and a world where all God’s children truly have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he said. “But we have to really get our country back on track. This is an opportunity to show our children and the world that we can be better.”
The Associated Press called the election for Biden on Saturday after a protracted vote count.
Bodrick said he’s heartened that Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, is the first woman of color to be elected vice president.
“She is a symbol of hope to so many women and girls that change is happening and that progress is possible.” he said.
Rev. Adam Dyer of the First Parish in Cambridge Unitarian Universalist Church, said, “Many faith leaders are speaking about ‘healing’ but I believe we first have to get to a place of some kind of basic peace, so that the sides that are at war can communicate without continuing to cause each other harm.”
Bishop William E. Dickerson of Greater Love Tabernacle in Dorchester said he prays that peace will prevail, but he will tell his congregation on Sunday that people must continue their activism “because we don’t see equity across the board.”
“It’s frustrating that we have to fight for things that belong to us in the first place,” Dickerson said.
The Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, which is headquartered in Boston, said she was “incredibly buoyed” by the number of people who voted in the election.
“The turnout this year, in the face of incredible voter suppression is a win for democracy,” she said. “We are excited to see so many people participate in the election and have their voices heard.”
In a statement on Thursday, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, said people should take pride in the success of the electoral process.
“As Catholics, we are committed to the common good, social justice and the Gospel of Life,” he said. “Participation in the political process is a sacred duty. In a country facing the threefold challenge of addressing a global pandemic, repairing a fractured economy and renewing a national commitment to the goals of racial justice and equality, the broad participation of citizens in the election should be a foundation for rebuilding our unity as a people.”
The Link LonkNovember 08, 2020 at 07:36AM
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/11/07/after-a-divisive-election-faith-leaders-send-a-message-of-unity/
After a divisive election, Boston faith leaders send a message of unity - Boston Herald
https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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