Members of faith communities locally in Washington and across the country have rallied around Washington National Cathedral
in its time of need following last week's magnitude-5.8 earthquake.
In
the first gesture of a faith community's financial support, Cardinal
Donald Wuerl sent a check for $25,000 on behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington to help toward the costs of repair work, according to a press release.
Washington National Cathedral, the sixth-largest cathedral in the
world and the second-largest such church in the United States, sustained
millions of dollars in damage in the Aug. 23 earthquake,
including significant damage to the central tower, where finials or
capstones, which are shaped like fleurs-de-lis, fell off three of the
four pinnacles.
The archdiocese's donation follows the hospitality offered by Washington Hebrew Congregation
to use its sanctuary for the cathedral's Sunday worship -- both Aug. 25
and Sept. 4 -- as stone masons and structural engineers implement
measures to ensure safety in the cathedral nave before reopening to the
public Sept. 9 for events commemorating the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, during which President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak.
"We are grateful to our neighbors of faith for their hospitality,
generosity, and most importantly, their prayers, as we face the enormous
challenge of restoring damaged areas of the cathedral," said Dean
Samuel T. Lloyd III in the release.
"This gift from the Catholic
Archdiocese of Washington, a testimony to the fellowship that exists
between people of different faiths, makes clear the bond we share. We
are also grateful for the outpouring of support from faithful
individuals across the country, who have given generously in the
aftermath of the earthquake. It is a great comfort as we begin to gather
financial support for this endeavor, which we expect to reach into the
millions of dollars."
"It was with both shock and sadness that I learned of the damage
sustained by Washington National Cathedral," said Wuerl in the press
release.
"The National Cathedral holds a special place in the hearts of
all of us in Washington. So many recognize it as a national house of
prayer, and indeed its magnificent Gothic towers are a reminder of our
constant need to raise our hearts in prayer to God in the midst of all
of our daily preoccupations."
Additional hospitality has been offered by St. Alban's Episcopal
Church, the parish church on the grounds of the cathedral; and the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which
hosted the dedication service of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
previously scheduled at the cathedral.
Updated information regarding repair efforts and reports on the
extent of damages Washington National Cathedral incurred may be found at
www.dcquake.nationalcathedral.org.