“Give us the wisdom to value each other”, Rossetti said in his earnest prayer to God before the start of official business in the U.S. House of Representatives on October 24, 2013.
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, St. Luke Institute, Washington, D.C., offered the following prayer before the start of official business in the U.S. House of Representatives on October 24, 2013:
“Good and gracious God, Your greatest desire is that we would love each other as You love us. You want us to be one in heart and mind and to treat each other with dignity.
In these days of conflict and division, home and abroad, give us the courage to love each other. Give us the wisdom to value each other. Give us the patience to listen to each other.
We do this only with Your help, with Your Spirit. Be with us now and be with us always. We make this prayer in Your holy name.
Amen” (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is a Catholic priest, author, educator, licensed psychologist , retreat master and expert on psychological and spiritual wellness issues for Catholic priests.
In terms of his education and background Rossetti is a graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in 1973 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF – so he is a veteran.
He also received an M.A. degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and served in Air Force intelligence.
In 1980, he entered the seminary, Theological College, at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. In 1994, he received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Boston College – one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States.
Rosetti is generally well regarded in the community and around the nation.
He has received some rather severe criticism and opposition from within the Catholic church for his outspoken position in support of victims of sexual abuse of little boys by Catholic priests – a matter the church would like very much to hide and cover up from the public at large (see his position paper: Learning from our mistakes http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/resources/upload/Rossetti-Learning-from-our-mistakes.pdf).