THIRTEEN PBS
Press Release
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games now underway in Salt Lake City, officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have said that, although they wish to make the most of this historic event, they will not attempt to proselytize. But even though the Mormons have banned their missionaries from the streets and all Olympic venues, other religious organizations and groups are taking full advantage of this opportunity. In this special report, Kim Lawton takes a behind-the-scenes look at the variety of religious activities and services being offered during the Olympic games, including Chaplain counseling, with 30 clergy from various denominations, including Catholic, Southern Baptist, Jewish, Unitarian, Evangelical and Protestant. According to Olympic Catholic chaplain Msgr. Robert Humitz, "'Light the Fire Within'" has been the theme of the Games, and those are all spiritual concepts. Spirituality is the common ground upon which all of us come together and work."

Featured (in alphabetical order):

Rev. Silvia Behrend, Unitarian Olympic Chaplain
Msgr. Robert Humitz, Catholic Olympic Chaplain
Jeff Jex, Cab Driver
Sarah Johnson, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rev. Gwyneth Mackenzie, Cathedral Church of St. Mark
Deacon Archie Noon, Catholic Olympic Chaplain
Jondon Trevena, U.S. Olympic Speed Skater
John Yarbrough, Southern Baptist Convention
Rabbi Benny Zippel, Jewish Olympic Chaplain


©2009 WNET.ORG Properties, LLC All Rights Reserved.     450 West 33rd Street     New York, NY 10001    visit WNET.ORG