Area faiths pleased with President Monson's appointment

Tonya Papanikolas reporting Members of various faiths across the state said they were pleased to hear who would be succeeding President Gordon B. Hinckley as the president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The chair of the Interfaith Roundtable said she was excited about the new leader. We also just got off the phone with Bishop John Wester of the Catholic Church, who said President Monson has supported many of the Catholic Church's programs for years, and he felt President Monson would be an inspiring leader to the entire community.

"As we get together, various religions in the community, and work toward the common goal, it shall be successful," President Monson said today.

He said Latter-day Saints should be active in their communities and cooperate with other religious organizations. "I think it's important that we eliminate the weakness of one standing alone and substitute for it the strength of people working together," President Monson said.

It's a message members of the Interfaith Roundtable were hoping to hear from the new Church president. "We feel that he will definitely carry the legacy of Gordon B. Hinckley, President Hinckley, in regards to interfaith and working with the Muslims," said Noor Ul-Hasan, Muslim community leader.

Jewish community member Alan Bachman said, "It looks like he will be carrying out this new vision that I think President Hinckley had. So, I think the Jewish community is going to be very happy."

Those who had met President Monson, or heard him speak, expressed confidence he would carry on a tradition of religious friendship and tolerance. Those who hadn't met him also had high hopes. "The things that I read were encouraging to me, that he is someone of compassion and warmth," said Rev. Diana Johnson, canon pastor at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

The Interfaith Roundtable recognized President Hinckley today, expressing gratitude for his outstretched arms. "He helped the Jewish community in many ways," Bachman said. "Whether it was helping them provide a facility for a Hanukkah celebration or other needs that the Jewish community had."

Now the members of these religious communities want to extend that kindness back to President Hinckley's successor. "I would hope that President Monson would at least give us the opportunity to provide some hospitality to him in return for what they have done for us," Ul-Hasan said.

President Monson said today he has already cooperated with many churches throughout the state and felt that a spirit of unity would make this a better community.

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