Religious, political leaders say farewell to Reagan at funeral

Published: 2004-06-11

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Religious and political leaders bid farewell to former U.S. President Ronald W. Reagan on a drizzly day in Washington, praising his role in the demise of the Soviet bloc and his injection of enthusiasm and optimism into U.S. life. Washington's National Cathedral was filled with world and U.S. leaders and surrounded by tight security at the June 11 state funeral for the 40th president of the United States. Participating in the religious service along with past and present national and international leaders were Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious figures. Inside the cavernous, Gothic-style Episcopal cathedral, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington gave the Gospel reading from chapter 5 of Matthew, which in verses 14-16 refers to a city on a hill as a light to the world and advocates not hiding a light under a bushel.

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