Priest urges lawyers, judges to be compassionate, treat all equally

Published: 2007-10-09

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CNS) -- Dominican Father Brian Shanley, president of Providence College, urged members of Rhode Island's legal community at the diocese's annual Red Mass to be like the good Samaritan, carrying out their responsibilities with compassion and treating everyone with equality. Father Shanley, who was the homilist, said he selected the parable of the good Samaritan from Luke's Gospel because of its powerful message and relevance to the pursuit of justice. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence was the main celebrant of the Sept. 27 Red Mass at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. It was attended by members of the judiciary and both legislative branches, as well as lawyers and government officers from throughout Rhode Island. The Mass is celebrated every fall to invoke the Holy Spirit upon the judicial year. Celebrants wear red vestments symbolizing the tongues of fire representing the Holy Spirit.

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