Prayer service at Catholic church precedes Bush convention speech

Published: 2004-09-03

NEW YORK (CNS) -- President George W. Bush, accompanied by members of his family and administration, attended a prayer service at Our Saviour Church in Manhattan the morning before his acceptance speech Sept. 2 at the Republican National Convention. Father George W. Rutler, pastor of the church, said in a telephone interview afterward that the "private holy hour" was held at the request of the president. He said he met with Bush privately before the service, and at his invitation was attending the closing session of the convention. Among those joining the president at the service, the priest said, were first lady Laura Bush; the president's parents, former President George H.W. and Barbara Bush; aides such as Condoleezza Rice and Karl Rove; members of the Cabinet and Congress; New York Gov. George E. Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Father Rutler said he gave the homily, and other parts of the service were led by a Protestant minister, a rabbi and an imam.

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