Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron Offers
Opening Prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 12, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – Excellency, Most Reverend Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, O.F.M. Cap., D.D., in Washington, D.C., for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops November 2003 meeting, offered the prayer to open today’s session of the U.S. House of Representatives. Archbishop Apuron was the guest Chaplain at the invitation of the Chaplain of the House, Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, who extended the invitation at the request of Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. This was Archbishop Apuron’s second opportunity to offer a prayer on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Previously, Archbishop Apuron had offered a prayer during the 103rd Congress.

Congresswoman Bordallo invited Apuron to offer the prayer and while she would have accompanied him on the floor, she was unable to so. Bordallo is currently en route to Guam with the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

“Almighty God, whose goodness fills our hearts with joy. You are blessed for bringing us together to work in harmony, in peace, and in justice. Send your blessings upon our United States House of Representatives, who generously devote themselves to the work of our Nation and Territories in the laws they pass and the resolutions they create.

In times of difficulty and need grant them the strength to transcend personal interests and seek after the common good for all. Strengthen them with your grace and wisdom so that everything that they begin with Your inspiration, continue with Your guidance and by You be happily ended. Grace us with Your saving presence and aid us with your constant blessing. All glory and praise be to You, our Ever-living God, forever and ever. Amen.”

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.