Bishops, Priests, and Faith Leaders Mark 25th Anniversary of 9/11 With Masses and Prayer
Catholic bishops and faith leaders across the United States held memorial Masses and prayer services on September 11, 2026, marking 25 years since the terrorist attacks. Archbishop Timothy Broglio celebrated a Mass of remembrance at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Faith leaders also gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a public prayer witness.
Catholic bishops and faith leaders across the United States held memorial Masses and prayer services on September 11, 2026, marking 25 years since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services celebrated a Mass of remembrance at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., honoring victims, first responders, and service members.
In New York, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks presided over a vigil Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Additional Masses were held at Resurrection Cemetery on Staten Island and Calvary Cemetery in Queens, which serve as final resting places for dozens of victims. St. Philip Neri Church in the Bronx dedicated a plaque honoring first responders who lost their lives.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement calling on the faithful to pray for victims, their families, and first responders. He urged a renewed commitment to being "instruments of peace" amid ongoing global conflicts.
In Pennsylvania, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown participated in a commemoration at the Flight 93 National Memorial and offered prayers at an official event in Altoona.
Faith leaders from multiple denominations also gathered on the southeastern corner of the U.S. Capitol steps at 11:00 a.m. for a public prayer witness, organized to mark the anniversary and call for peace.
The Ukrainian Catholic bishops of the U.S. issued a pastoral letter calling for prayer services and reflecting on the duality of the 9/11 legacy, acknowledging human capacity for evil while celebrating the courage displayed by first responders and ordinary citizens.
Local congregations across the country held their own services. The Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Sequim, Washington, scheduled a service to examine lessons learned from 9/11 and its ongoing impact on personal faith.
Religious news outlets noted that the terrorist threat has evolved significantly over 25 years, with new technologies including drones and artificial intelligence now shaping the security landscape.
