Religious Leaders Council Holds Interfaith Prayer Service for Mayor Parker

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The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (RLC) hosted an interfaith prayer service for Philadelphia’s newly elected mayor, Cherelle Parker, on February 20, 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City. With more than 300 people in attendance, the service included scripture readings from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith traditions.

“We are here to pray for Mayor Parker and City Council, to build bridges of peace, and to support one another,” said Rev. Edward Livingston, Interfaith Philadelphia’s Director of Religious Community Initiatives.


The service was led by the RLC Co-Conveners:  Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez; The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania; Imam Anwar Muhaimin, Quba Masjid; and Rabbi David Straus of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.


Attendees recited a pledge written by the RLC entitled "A Call from People of Faith to Stop Violence," and lit candles to welcome the light of peace into the community.


Mayor Parker warmly thanked the Council and all who were in attendance. She said, “as a woman of faith, I believe the religious communities play a pivotal role as catalysts and agents of change for Philadelphia.”


Coordinated by Interfaith Philadelphia, the RLC was founded in 2006 and is the first of its kind in Greater Philadelphia. It represents more than two million people of diverse faith traditions and over 30 member communities.


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Learn more about Interfaith Philadelphia Religious Networks 

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