From Brooklyn’s own Msgr. Kieran Harrington, who delivered this invocation at the GOP convention last night in Cleveland. He posted the text on his Facebook page late yesterday:
Heavenly Father, We ask that you bless and inspire these delegates, that their deliberations over these next four days might be earnest and fruitful. Our forefathers recognized in your Divine plan the freedom you intended for all men and women. We stand before you contrite for those times in our history where we failed to be the “shining city on the hill” for which you destined our great land. We humbly give you thanks most especially for those who bravely wear the uniform here at home and abroad. Truly there is no greater Love than to lay down one’s life for a friend. Bless those who endured torture or sacrificed themselves for the freedom of our fellow countrymen and those in far flung places around the world Inspire us to build a more noble society that reflects your Divine image to a world that is broken and brought low by sin. You have endowed our peoples and nation with the gift of charity. May we be mindful of those who suffer here and abroad. Father, we know that our true citizenship is in your kingdom. You remind us that to inherit eternal life we must “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Your son instructs us with the parable of the Good Samaritan as to who is our neighbor. May we defend life when most vulnerable in the womb or in old age, and let us not forget our obligations to the poor and the sick, the prisoner and the alien in our midst. We make this prayer in your holy name.
Amen.
UPDATE: Some background, from CNS:
The priest from the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, told Catholic News Service that he worked for the Republican National Committee for five years in the 1990s and was known to some of the party’s highest-ranking officials. The process was not planned far in advance and his on-stage appearance was finalized only days before the convention began, he said. Things happened so quickly that Msgr. Harrington ended up driving from Brooklyn to Cleveland, arriving at 3 a.m. July 18, about 17 hours before offering the prayer. “The way I look at it is I’m here to bring the Gospel. It’s very important to hold up a mirror to let people know what their deliberations really are about,” said Msgr. Harrington, chairman of the DeSales Media Group in the diocese and pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn. The invitation came after he inquired about the status of press credentials for the staff of the diocese’s New Evangelization Television cable TV network. Msgr. Harrington received a call from Sean Spicer, communications director and chief strategist for the Republican National Committee, who not only confirmed the credentials, but invited the priest to offer the prayer. Msgr. Harrington cleared the request with Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and began coordinating his short appearance at the convention.
And today we celebrate...