Clergy prays for peace
Clergy from around the state were also present at Saturday’s demonstration in support of Confederate monuments, not to voice support or dissent for statues, but to pray for unity among those in attendance.
Earlier in the morning, the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock hosted a Multi-Faith Prayer Service at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church. The gathering drew members of different Christian denominations, as well as representatives of other faiths.
Having people of different faiths gather was “pretty symbolic, too. It’s unity between all different types of faith praying for unity in the world,” said Cody Eveld, a seminarian with the Catholic Diocese.
Bishop Anthony Taylor, who spoke at the gathering at St. Mary’s, called on members of the church and community to “be a light for the world,” and condemn the violence in Charlottesville, Va., a week ago and those who took part in it.
“The Lord will use (us as) light shining in the darkness. … This means standing up for what is right, but it also means doing so in a way that respects the intrinsic human dignity of those we disagree with,” Taylor said in a copy of his homily provided to The Sentinel Record.
“If we let our light shine, the darkness will, of necessity, have to recede,” he said.
The Rev. Gregory Nettles of Visitor’s Chapel AME Church was also present at the demonstration held on Arlington Lawn, standing against what he said was the hatred he feels is attached to the Confederate monuments.
“If (they) are talking about Southern heritage, (Confederate) heritage, then (they) are talking about preserving something that has risen out of opposition of allowing people to be free,” Nettles said.
After the prayer service, clergy members made their way to Arlington Lawn, and proceeded to walk around the perimeter praying for unity.
“I have no signs; I’m not chanting anything. I just want to be a peaceful Christian presence,” said the Rev. C.B. Baker, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.