Prayer has helped him when he wrestles with death penalty issues, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine told about 70 people gathered in Capitol Square today for the National Day of Prayer.
Kaine said he opposes the death penalty because of his Catholic faith, but that he also is sworn to uphold the law.
When a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech, then himself, Kaine said he turned to prayer to help him find the words to deal with a tragedy that defied understanding.
As a light drizzle began to fall today, Kaine talked about the economic downturn and prayed "for the Virginians who are really struggling."
Actually, Kaine prayed twice: once as the governor, the second time as a substitute for state Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, who was delayed in traffic.
Kaine said one of his favorite presidents, Harry Truman, signed the bill establishing a National Day of Prayer. The United States may be one of the most religious nations in the world because it specifically provides for freedom of religion in its Constitution, while also not prescribing a state religion, he said.
"Leaders of our nation have certainly always appealed to higher powers, especially in tough times," he said in a brief interview before the ceremony.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State protested the gathering beforehand. Three people, wearing stickers that read "Democracy, NOT Theocracy" joined in the protest.
"They have a right to protest," Kaine said.
He said he has tried "to vigorously guard that line of separation of church and state on issues like the police chaplains and some other issues."
He referred to his opposition to a bill that would have allowed state police chaplains to give specific religious prayers at public events.
"But I think appealing to higher powers in a time of difficulty, which is what we're having now, is what we ought to do," Kaine added.
Similar gatherings observing the National Day of Prayer were held across the nation today.
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