Alaska bishop pays tribute to nation’s religious roots

July 05, 2010

In a July 4 newspaper column, Bishop Edward Burns of Juneau paid tribute to the religious faith associated with the founding of the United States.

“Faith in the Lord is not only seen in documents of our country, but also in the architecture,” he notes.

A mural in the rotunda in the U.S. Capitol building has the baptism of Pocahontas as well as Franciscans in procession. In the chambers of the House of Representatives, directly above the speaker's chair is the inscription, "In God we Trust." The marble reliefs surrounding that room, are historical lawmakers, including Pope Innocent III, Pope Gregory IX, and in the center, Moses - the supreme law giver. Moses is depicted at the Supreme Court building holding the Ten Commandments. Within Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol building there are statues of one Catholic nun and four Catholic priests: Mother Joseph of the state of Washington kneeling in prayer; Father Junipero Serra of California holding a cross; Father Eusebio Kino, SJ (Arizona); Father Damien of Molokai (Hawaii) and Father Jacques Marquette, SJ (Wisconsin).

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Edward J. Burns: In God we Trust (Juneau Empire)