Cardinal Wuerl Joins Local Faith Leaders in Thanksgiving Message
Washington, DC – Today (November 20), Cardinal Donald Wuerl joined other Washington-area faith leaders in a 2017 Thanksgiving message.
The American Holiday
Across our nation, people of every background and tradition celebrate Thanksgiving as a distinctly American holiday, rooted in gratitude. In the great diversity of faith traditions, we gather at table to give thanks for our many blessings. We pause to thank our Creator and, at the same time, celebrate our freedom. Thanksgiving is not only an historical celebration, but a present reality in which even the most recent arrival in our nation rejoices.
Among the blessings Americans share is the gift of freedom. We celebrate its many expressions, including the freedom to practice one’s faith. Another is our freedom of speech and the liberty to express ourselves. We recognize, however, that freedom of expression carries the responsibility to do so with mutual respect and civility. As Americans, we are all free to speak what we believe to be the truth, but we are also challenged to do so in love, in the spirit of universal kinship recognizing the dignity of every person.
For both the freedom and the challenge we give thanks. And we wish a peaceful, happy Thanksgiving to all.
The Solidarity Table
Imam Talib Shareef
Masjid Muhammad – The Nation’s Mosque
Bishop Mariann Budde
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Rabbi Bruce Lustig
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Archdiocese of Washington
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