Priest reprimanded for praying at interfaith vigil

[Melissa W.]

Priest reprimanded for praying at interfaith vigil following Sandy Hook


Posted: Feb 07, 2013 12:09 PM EST
Updated: Feb 07, 2013 12:09 PM EST
By The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -
A conservative Lutheran group is reprimanding its pastor in Newtown, Connecticut, for participating in an interfaith vigil after the Sandy Hook massacre.

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod says the Reverend Rob Morris inadvertently gave the impression that he was involved in joint worship with clergy from other religions. The denomination bars joint worship because it doesn't want to appear to mix its beliefs with those of other churches.

The December 16th vigil included Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other leaders. President Barack Obama and Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy attended.

The church says Morris has apologized for taking part in the event.

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is one of the smaller U.S. Lutheran groups. The denomination reprimanded another pastor in 2001 who was part of an interfaith vigil after the September 11 attacks.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

I opened this fully expecting that is was going to be a the Catholic getting reprimanded.

[ringstrue]

Ew.

I don't think I'd like my church if my pastor shied away from interfaith events.

[soozy87]

[pamela]

Nope, catholic allows interfaith, but the clergy must be careful about how it occurs to avoid appearance of endorsing something against doctrine and they can't distort catholic rituals.

[Melissa W.]

Feb 7, 2013 12:45:55 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

Ew.

I don't think I'd like my church if my pastor shied away from interfaith events.

Me either.

[Melissa W.]

Feb 7, 2013 12:52:26 GMT -5 pamela said:

Nope, catholic allows interfaith, but the clergy must be careful about how it occurs to avoid appearance of endorsing something against doctrine and they can't distort catholic rituals.

As a Catholic, I know this. At the vigil they are speaking about each religion was represented. Prayer said by each group. There wasn't anything to distort.

[2vermont]

Feb 7, 2013 12:34:04 GMT -5 Melissa W. said:

I opened this fully expecting that is was going to be a the Catholic getting reprimanded.

So did I.  I'm actually surprised that any Lutheran group feels this way.  I find that interesting.

[heightsyankee]

And therein lies why so many people want to move away from organized religion.

[bugandbibs]

I didn't open this all day because I was sure it would be anti-Catholic. That's what I get for assuming.

[2vermont]

Feb 7, 2013 17:06:46 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

I didn't open this all day because I was sure it would be anti-Catholic. That's what I get for assuming.

Well, at least it's not anti-Lutheran.

[pedanticwench]

First world problems.

[eclaires]

Why am I not surprised that it is Missouri Synod involved in this foolishness? My ILs go to a Missouri Synod Lutheran church and their pastor makes me want to throw things more than any conservative Catholic priest ever has.

[anasara]

My mother used to work in youth ministry for the Catholic diocese when I was a kid & tried to do an interfaith breakfast.  There was a priest @ a particular parish who was very "WE ARE #1!" & didn't want to advertize it among his CYO members.  To this day my mom refers to him as "Father A$$hole".