The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) and Faith in Peace Concerts co-hosted a hybrid “Faith in Democracy” interfaith vigil, marking the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C. 

“Three years ago, right on the spot of this event, some Americans waved Bibles as they stormed and attacked the nation’s Capitol,” the Franciscan Action Network said of the event. The prayer vigil aimed to call on Americans to respect the democratic process and resolve political differences as peacemakers and bridge-builders.

Leaders from several faith traditions reflected on how their sacred texts informed their understanding of peace and “a more perfect union.” The gathering also featured the artistry of the acappella group Reverb and the duo The Sweater Set, who provided inspirational music. 

“Why are we here for a third year,” Michele Dunne, the Franciscan Action Network executive director, asked attendees. “We are here because the wound of January 6th is not healed.” 

“Today we are here for a very different message,” David Searby, project director for Faith in Peace Concerts, said during his opening remarks. “People of faith can be uniters, not dividers.”

Father Paul Lininger, a priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventional, reminded the audience of the prayer for peace offered on January 6, 2021, by House Chaplain Margaret G. Kibben as she stood in the chamber while a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol building. 

Kibben, a Presbyterian minister, prayed in part, “We, who have pledged to defend our Constitution against all enemies, we pray Your hedge of protection around this Nation. Defend us from those adversaries, both foreign and domestic, outside these walls and perhaps within these Chambers, who sow seeds of acrimony to divide colleagues and conspire to undermine trust in Your divine authority over all things.”

Rabbi David Sapperstein, director emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reformed Judaism, demonstrated the tension of the moment as evidenced by “two radically different visions of America” before offering five ideals from Judaism of proto-democratic power.

 “We are indeed gathered here at our nation’s Capitol building on the cusp of commemorating the lessons of the January 6th attack on our democracy three years ago today and just days shy of our annual celebration dedicated to the remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life’s work was the embodiment of the role of faith in strengthening our nation’s democracy in fulfilling democracy’s promise of equal rights for all,” he said.

Reclaiming the day, Rev. Karen Brau, pastor at Luther Place, said, “January 6th is also the Epiphany.” She then retold the story of the wise men’s visit, Herod’s revenge and the slaughter of the innocents. Afterward, Brau proclaimed, “From the start, the love of God made real in Jesus has been impacted by lies.”

After Reverb sang, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the African American national anthem, Imam Talib Shareef, president and imam of the historic Masjid Muhammad, took to the podium. “We were shocked but not surprised by the violent assault launched on our democracy, bringing America face to face with itself. In coming face to face with our own humanity as a nation, the social fabric of the society began to see the threads coming apart… Before we correct the problems of society, we must first correct the problems in ourselves,” he explained.

“On this anniversary, let us rededicate ourselves to being honest with ourselves and with one other and speaking to one another the truth in love,” Sister Bridget Bearss, associate director for transformative justice for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, noted. Bearss said the third anniversary reminds her of the eighth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” 

Citing the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, she said, “Lying is the most direct offense against the truth… And since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another… It undermines trust among people and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.” 

Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, said he “came to talk about making peace, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, captured in the gospel of Matthew 5:9.” 

He commissioned his listeners, “We must make peace with one another across our differences if we are to survive as a democracy and as a human family… Notice that he (Jesus) didn’t use the term peacekeepers for peace cannot be kept or maintained where it never truly existed. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

“We have a job to do,” Rev. Jim Wallis, founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice, charged the audience. Again citing the Epiphany, Wallis said, “What January 6th revealed was bad religion, false religion. White Christian nationalism is bad religion. The answer to bad religion is good faith. We need to expose bad religion and reveal good faith.”

The prayer vigil concluded with a song by The Sweater Set, “What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love, and understanding?”

To watch a recording of the event, click