Obama's truly 'National' Prayer Service

Representative in the fullest sense, the National Prayer Service which caps inaugural activities on Jan. 21 will, according to the Associated Press, include participation by:

• Conservative Rabbi Jerome Epstein.
• Orthodox Rabbi Haskel Lookstein.
• Reform Rabbi David Saperstein.
• Islamic Society of North America President Ingrid Mattson (head of the nation's largest Muslim group).
• Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington the Most Rev. Donald Wuerl.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) president Rev. Sharon Watkins, the first woman to head a mainline Protest denomination and an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq and of torture, will give the sermon.

Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant.

It seems decidedly appropriate, especially when considered in view of the prayers which will precede the Jan. 21 National Cathedral service. Those will be by gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, Southern Baptist megachurch pastor Rick Warren and black United Methodist minister Dr. Joseph E. Lowery.

Thus the incoming Obama administration finds its religious voice, not shrill or in any way ideologically narrow-minded, but sweepingly inclusive. A living reflection the historic great melting pot of American culture of which we are all so justifiably proud.