The Rev. Rodney Reinhart, a non-parochial priest of the Diocese of Michigan, is thinking big. A resident of Plymouth, Mich., Fr. Reinhart is trying to create a World Day of Religious Reconciliation on which persons of all faiths can celebrate together. Fr. Reinhart, active in peace concerns for more than 20 years, thought of the idea last year.

"I was thinking one day that I had been very much in prayer about horrific situations in which religious people ... have let their faith be an excuse for war," he said during a recent telephone interview. "I wanted to see an end to religious persecution and war." Recognizing that all religions have their own important holy days, Fr. Reinhart thought a single day which emphasized religious reconciliation "speaks to the heart of all religious faiths."

Fr. Reinhart has sent his proposal for an annual holy day to leaders of all faiths, clergy friends and others he knows are concerned. He proposes that the observance take place Jan. 13, 2000.

"It would be a day to call religious leaders to work for peace, justice and reconciliation among all religions, races, classes and nationalities," he said. "Religious leaders should stand against using faith as an excuse for war. A reconciliation sabbath would be a day of telling truth. It would be a day to unmask the lie that religion and war are partners to the end."

He cites the atrocities in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, parts of Africa and other locations as reasons to bring people together to pray, to listen to one another, to call one another to repentance and to offer to each other forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.

Is there a significance to the date of Jan. 13, 2000? "It's my birthday," he cracked — he'll be 51 — but he added that a date early in the new millennium would be appropriate, "after everyone has sobered up and finished celebrating," and close to the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., whom he called "a man who really exemplified making peace."

Fr. Reinhart thinks the world sabbath is a natural for the Episcopal Church. "I see the Episcopal Church as hopefully the church that will take the leader's role," he said. "This church has been active with social and peace and justice issues."

He has sent informational letters to Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and to the Bishop of Michigan, the Rt. Rev. Stewart Wood, but so far he has not received a response. While national church and diocesan support are important, Fr. Reinhart thinks the event will be most effective at the local level.

"An event like this is something that local church leaders can participate in at their local level," he said. "I'd like to see it get organized in various cities." He plans to create a general outline for an observance which could be used to plan a service for reconciliation among various faiths.

And how are non-Christians taking to his idea? "Some of my Muslim friends think this is a wonderful idea," he said. "It's a wonderful way for numerous religious groups to get together with peace people."

During the next year or so, Fr. Reinhart hopes to stay busy planning the World Day of Religious Reconciliation. He also is a teacher in Detroit and is involved with various supply and interim ministries in his diocese.

"This is an idealistic vision, but it is a vision which may enable religious leaders to work and pray together for justice and peace among themselves and among all people," he said.

Spend a few minutes talking to Fr. Reinhart about this vision and he is likely to convince you that he'll make it a success.

David Kalvelage, executive editor