A Pennsylvania Republican lawmaker delivered a fire and brimstone prayer aimed at an incoming Muslim member of the statehouse Monday, prompting outrage and accusations of bigotry.
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, a Republican from central Pennsylvania's Clinton County, opened the day's session with a prayer that called for the country to ask for God's "forgiveness" for, in her view, turning away from Christianity.
"God forgive us, Jesus, we've lost sight of you, we've forgotten you, God, in our country, and we're asking you to forgive us," said Borowicz.
The meaning of the prayer wasn't lost on state lawmakers. Monday marked a historic first in the state as state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, a Philadelphia area Democrat, was sworn in as the state's first Muslim woman representative.
"It blatantly represented the Islamophobia that exists among some leaders, leaders that are supposed to represent the people," Johnson-Harrell told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star in a statement.
In remarks to reporters on the statehouse floor, Johnson-Harrell expressed disappointment with Borowicz's behavior.
"We as Republicans and Democrats can find many, many things to fight about," said Johnson-Harrell. "Prayer should not be one of them."
I came to the @PaHouse to make friends on both sides of the aisle because we need to work together for EVERYONE across the commonwealth. After hearing the prayer given the day I took the oath of office, it’s clear that my presence is needed now more than ever #PeopleFirst pic.twitter.com/dK4I7gO9aY
— Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell (@RepMovita) March 27, 2019
Johnson-Harrell's fellow Democrats were outraged at what they saw as Borowicz's targeting of the newly-elected representative and her faith.
"What we do not need is to see prayer and religion twisted to intimidate, discourage, or subtly degrade any Pennsylvanian, especially one sent by her constituents to represent them in Harrisburg," House Minority Whip Jordan Harris said in a statement.
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Rep. Summer Lee, a Democrat from southwestern Pennsylvania, placed the blame squarely on Speaker Mike Turzai, a Republican, for inviting Borowicz to deliver the prayer in the first place.
"Today we're swearing in the 1st Black Muslim woman to the PA General Assembly," Lee tweeted. "To honor the occasion @RepTurzai invites the most inappropriate, racist, Islamophobe to ramble a 'prayer' thanking Trump, Jesus, and Israel."
Today we're swearing in the 1st Black Muslim woman to the PA General Assembly. To honor the occasion @RepTurzai invites the most inappropriate, racist, islamophobe to ramble a "prayer" thanking Trump, Jesus, and Israel. Most inappropriate thing ive witnessed in my 4 months
— Summer Lee (@SummerForPA) March 25, 2019
"This fire and brimstone Evangelical prayer was before the swearing in ceremony of the PA House's first ever Muslim woman," tweeted Rep. Kevin J. Boyle, a fellow Democratic state representative from Philadelphia, who said he walked off the floor of the House in protest.
"It is the epitome of religious intolerance," Boyle added.
I walked off the House floor in protest during today’s prayer led by a GOP member from Central PA. This fire and brimstone Evangelical prayer was before the swearing in ceremony of the PA House’s first ever Muslim woman @movitajh It is the epitome of religious intolerance.
— Kevin J. Boyle (@RepKevinBoyle) March 25, 2019
Borowicz was undeterred by the criticism, she told reporters.
"I don't apologize ever for praying," said Borowicz.
Rep. Borowicz on her controversial prayer: "That's how I pray everyday." When asked to respond to Dems calling for an apology she says "Oh no, I don't apologize ever for praying"
— Andrew Bahl (@AndrewBahl) March 25, 2019
Watch the full prayer here:
