Most Reverend Bishop Mar Awa Royel
Assyrian Church of the East
Salida, CA
Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Denham, (R-CA)
Date of Prayer: 10/28/2015
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor today to introduce to the House our guest chaplain, Bishop Mar Awa Royel.
Bishop Royel currently presides over the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East's Diocese of California and serves as Secretary of the Holy Synod. He was consecrated as a Bishop in 2008 and is the first American–born Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East.
Bishop Royel is one of five trustees of the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization. He is also the president of the Commission on Inter–Church Relations and Educational Development.
I have been honored to know Bishop Royel and work with him to help raise awareness of the plight of Assyrians in the Middle East who are facing unspeakable violence and persecution. Many Central Valley residents have family members who are suffering under ISIL's campaign of terror. I am thankful for Bishop Royel's efforts. Bishop Royel is a gifted speaker, esteemed author, and leader of California's large and faithful Assyrian community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming him today. We thank him for offering this afternoon's opening prayer in the United States House of Representatives.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Amen.
Father of mercy and God of every consolation, we come to You at this hour asking You to bless our civil servants as they labor for our country and its citizens. Grant them Your wisdom and enlighten them with Your truth that they might serve the greater good of our country.
Strengthen them to be instruments of peace and justice in our society today. May they bring about reconciliation and hope in our communities and neighborhoods, and may they be exemplary citizens and servants to their constituents, without distinction of race or creed.
Father, we ask You to bless our land, which has been a beacon of hope and a refuge for the oppressed and the marginalized. Grant freedom to the captive, relief to the suffering, and help us all to construct a better and safer tomorrow for our future generations of Americans.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory