Catholic Bishop Opens Prayer for Franklin Graham Event

A Roman Catholic bishop gave the opening prayer for Franklin Graham's Festival of Hope in Pittsburg, August 15-17. Bishop David Zubik rejoiced in the ecumenical spirit represented by the event ("Festival of Hope attendees enjoy final day of worship, music, Graham," Pittsburg Tribune Review, Aug. 17, 2014). He prayed, "Lord, how good it is for us to be here: Orthodox, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Catholic, and many more. Despite our differences, what draws us here is your Son Jesus Christ." There is nothing new here. Though Franklin Graham is more outspoken on some matters than his father, Billy, he is totally on board with the ecumenical agenda. In 1999, Franklin said that his father's ecumenical alliance with the Catholic Church and all other denominations "was one of the smartest things his father ever did" ("Keeping it simple, safe keeps Graham on high," The Indianapolis Star, Thurs., June 3, 1999, p. H2). Billy Graham's association with Rome goes back to the early days of his ministry before he came to prominence. We have documented this in the free eBook Billy Graham's Sad Disobedience at www.wayoflife.org. See also the report "Franklin Graham's Radical Ecumenism."

(Friday Church News Notes, August 29, 2014, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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