The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia and the Mayor's Office of Faith Based Initiatives will hold an interfaith prayer service to conclude the 30-day period of mourning for Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski. The service to remember all victims of violence will be led by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia.

11:00 a.m.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway


The prayer service will include the presentation of the American flag flying atop City Hall to the Liczbinski family by Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison; sacred scripture readings by Religious Leaders Council members from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths; and closing Words of Peace from Mayor Nutter.

At noon, the service will conclude with a procession to the steps of the Cathedral, where Jewish leaders will sound shofars signaling the start of a one-minute citywide silent "Pause for Peace." During the moment of silence, citizens are asked to pause for prayer for all victims and reflect on how they can help end the violence in their communities. The sounding of the shofars at the Cathedral will begin the ringing of church bells and police and fire sirens before the "Pause for Peace."

"This service marks the end of the official 30 day period of mourning for Sergeant Liczbinski, but we will never forget the sacrifice that he made for all of us," said Mayor Nutter. "We will use this opportunity to remember Steve and all of those whose lives have been impacted by violence in our city."

The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia was formed in 2006 to unite religious leaders, to build relationships of mutual support, to offer a moral and spiritual voice, and to take action on issues of critical concern in our region. The Council has identified the issue of violence as its first priority and has joined hands with the Mayor and leaders of this region to walk the ways of peace.

For those unable to attend the Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Healing, it will be streamed live on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia website at www.archphila.org. Editor's Note: An audio and video mult-box feed will be provided in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street, between Race and Vince Streets. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral.

The Religious Leaders Council is coordinated by the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, 3723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104, info@interfaithcenterpa.org, 215-222-1012. The Mayor's Office of Faith Based Initiatives was established in 2001 to liaison with Faith Inspired leaders and their organizations on behalf of the Mayor and City of Philadelphia government. The Mayor's Office of Faith Based Initiatives, Suite 400 MSB, 1401 JFK Blvd. Philadelphia, PA, 19102, faithbased@phila.gov, 215-686-3905.


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