Apr 26, 2011 / 04:16 am
Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron joined with a group of religious leaders in opposing a Florida pastor's plan to hold an anti-Muslim rally during Holy Week.
“It is possible for an interfaith community of believers to live in peace and liberty, and to do so while promoting social justice and moral values,” the archbishop said in an April 21 appearance at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan. “May we never let the negative voices of the few deter us from working together toward these worthy goals on behalf of the many.”
Pastor Terry Jones, whose burning of a Quran in March caused international controversy and prompted violent retaliation in Muslim countries, had planned to hold a rally outside the Islamic center on Good Friday. Jones' demonstration was scheduled to demonstrate in the evening in front of the center. He announced that the protest would be against "jihad, sharia, and the radicalization of Muslims in America."
More than 700 members and supporters of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit held a vigil outside the center, in opposition to Jones' plan.