National and Local Interfaith Leaders to Gather at Washington National Cathedral as It Tolls Its Funeral Bell in Memory of the Victims of the Las Vegas Shooting

Washington, D.C. – Washington National Cathedral will join churches across the country as it rings the Bourdon (funeral) Bell on Tuesday, October 3, in memory of those killed last night in Las Vegas, NV. The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, will be joined by local and national religious leaders representing many faiths. Their message is to take a moment for prayer while also urging a national conversation to end gun violence.

Bishop Budde will be joined by Rabbi Jonah Pesner of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism;Jim Winkler of the National Council of Churches; the Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli of Foundry United Methodist Church; Rabbi Bruce Lustig of Washington Hebrew Congregation; Hurunessa Fariad of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society; Rabbi Jack Moline of Interfaith Alliance; and the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope of Washington National Cathedral, among others.

The number of times the bells are rung will be based on the number of dead as reported at that time including the perpetrator of the violence.

Who:  Religious Leaders from many faiths

What:  Vigil to demand action on gun violence

Where:  Bishop’s Garden, on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral

When:  11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 2. The Bourdon Bell will ring at 12:00 noon.

Media should RSVP to Ari Geller at ageller@westendstrategy.com. There is limited parking on the Cathedral grounds for TV crews bringing a satellite truck.