Religious leaders ask for unity and prayer

-- Local faith leaders are urging the community to engage in prayers and conversation -- not division -- about the turmoil in the Gaza Strip.

An interfaith vigil held last night at Bon Air Presbyterian Church is the kind of activity "I want to direct people's attention toward," said the Rev. D. Wallace Adams-Riley, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond.

"Violence will not be our way out of this terrible tragedy in the Middle East. Prayers and coming together is going to be the way."

Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami, who helped to organize last night's vigil, agreed.

"I watch and read about the ongoing fighting in Israel and Gaza with sadness and spiritual pain. Too many lives lost and injured. Too many tank rounds fired and missiles launched," Romer said.

"Each side can claim justice in its cause, but still the only apparent choice some leaders feel they can make is through violence."

The Rev. R. Charles Grant, pastor of Bon Air Presbyterian, said people must remember "we're all children of the same God."

"I am always looking for ways to stand in solidarity with Christians, Muslims and Jews who stand for justice and are working for peace."

The vigil attempted to "raise and prick the consciousness of people in the Richmond area about the international tragedy taking place," Grant said.

The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, encourages dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians who seek peace.

He cited these remarks by Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday:

"While underlining that hatred and refusal of dialogue cannot but lead to war, I would like today to encourage the initiatives and efforts of all those people who, holding peace dear to their hearts, are seeking to help Israelis and Palestinians to agree to sit around a table and talk. May God support the efforts of those courageous 'builders of peace.'"
Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or .