Post-Inaugural Prayers : Ecumenical Service Planned by Bush

President-elect George Bush will culminate his inauguration with prayers for God’s guidance of the new Administration, stressing the importance of worship in his life.

In an open letter mailed to nearly 300,000 American clergy--all those of any kind whose addresses could be obtained--he asked that they join in similar devotions across the country on that occasion.

He also suggested nationwide ringing of church bells at the time.

He said he and his wife, Barbara, “believe it is most fitting that the events of my inauguration as President conclude in an ecumenical service of prayer and thanksgiving.”

Service Has Been Planned

Such a service has been planned for Sunday morning, Jan. 22, at the Washington Cathedral, the Episcopal center in the nation’s capital and the denomination of Bush and his family.

Roman Catholic, Jewish and Protestant leaders are to participate, including the head of Bush’s denomination, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning of New York.

The service caps the weekend inaugural events after the formal inauguration ceremonies of Jan. 20.

“Worship is basic to my own life,” Bush said. “Our family has endeavored to uphold our faith by participation in the life of our church.”

New Beginning

He added that he was particularly pleased the inauguration “will end on a note of asking God’s guidance on the new beginning which opens before us.”

Vice President-elect “Dan Quayle and I very much hope that this service will be part of similar observances of prayer and thanksgiving throughout our country. We ask that you join us . . . by using elements of the national service,” Bush added.

Copies of the Washington liturgy were sent to members of the clergy in advance for their use.

Roy Pfautch of Washington, chairman of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving designated for the occasion, said the affair was church-arranged to avoid any impression of ties to the government.

Regular Sunday Time

The service was scheduled at regular Sunday time of worship.

Washington’s Episcopal bishop, John T. Walker, who is host of the event, issued invitations to participants, including the Bush family. A similar day of prayer and thanksgiving was arranged at Reagan’s second-term inauguration in 1985.

Pfautch, a public affairs consultant and inactive Presbyterian clergyman, said faith was “definitely an emphasis in Bush’s election and he wanted it to be the culmination of the inaugural.”

“This is very much part of his thinking and of his family, that faith is the foundation part of life, and he wanted it expressed in the inauguration,” Pfautch said.

A Coming Together

“It’s very fitting, and one of the beauties of the country, that congregations of different kinds can come together in their own churches, many using the same litanies and Scripture texts, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish.”

Bush, in his open letter mailed to pastors throughout the nation by the interfaith committee headed by Pfautch, said:

“We will be united in praise to God for the blessings which have endowed our nation and in asking for leadership as we face the challenges of the future. . . .

“As the bells ring across our land on Jan. 22, may their joyous sound express our gladness for the blessings the Lord has given and equally express our renewed commitment to seeking good will and peace among all peoples.”

Leaders to Take Roles

In addition to the Episcopal bishops, Walker and Browning, participants in the Washington service are to include leaders of various U.S. denominations, with the following taking active roles in the liturgy:

Cardinal James Hickey, Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington.

Archbishop Iakovos of New York, head of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America.

Rabbi Matthew H. Simon of B’nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, Md.

The Rev. Peter Gomes, minister of Harvard University’s Memorial Church.

Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, an Assemblies of God member whose father is a clergyman of that denomination and educator who has headed several denominational colleges.

The Rev. Stephen E. Smallman, pastor of McClain Presbyterian Church in Washington, which is attended by the Quayle family.