Pittsburgh's young mayor credits Catholic upbringing for his success

Published: 2006-10-30

PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh's new 26-year-old mayor, said he would not be in the position he is in today without his Catholic faith. "I'm not shy to say it, and I do say it whenever I can," Ravenstahl told the Pittsburgh Catholic, diocesan newspaper. "I would not be where I'm at without my Catholic upbringing and my Catholic education." As president of the City Council, Ravenstahl became the mayor of Pittsburgh Sept. 1 following the death of Mayor Bob O'Connor from lymphoma of the primary central nervous system. "The foundation that was instilled in me and my two brothers, both through my family as well as the school and the church, are something that I use on a daily basis," said Ravenstahl, a Democrat, who attended Incarnation Academy and North Catholic High School, both on Pittsburgh's north side. "It may sound simple, it may sound like a cliche or even a politician, but you treat people like you want to be treated. We live that in my family," he said. "I continue to do that, even though it is in the political arena and many review it as a cutthroat-type environment."

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