This post has been updated.
Wednesday’s crane accident at the National Cathedral, which damaged two buildings and hurt one person, has prompted the cathedral to move most of its planned Sept. 11-related events to the Kennedy Center.
The Friday and Sunday events include concerts by military musical groups, a speech by President Obama and performances by Patti Labelle, Alan Jackson and Denyce Graves.
“The safety of our visitors and the staff of the Cathedral is our top priority, and we will make no compromises when it comes to that responsibility,” said Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III in a statement. “At the same time we will not let obstacles put in our way stop us from fulfilling our mission as the spiritual home for the nation.”
A planned interfaith vigil will be moved to Washington Hebrew Congregation in Cleveland Park on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. said Richard Weinberg, spokesman for the National Cathedral. Other events — a forum on compassion and a religious service — also have been moved to the synagogue Sunday morning.
Saturday’s planned concert featuring local artists will be postponed and rescheduled at a future date, Weinberg said.
Weinberg said that although the events won’t be on church grounds, officials would be “able to take the cathedral on the road.” The Kennedy Center events will feature three large screens projecting images that represent the cathedral, Weinberg said.
“The cathedral is living out its mission as a spiritual home for the nation,” Weinberg said.
He said that the crane’s fall was “like threading a needle in that it fell in the path of least harm,” and that there was minor damage to the side of the diocese’s office, known as church house, as well as one of the ground’s gift shops.
“Things could have been a lot worse,” he said. “We’re disappointed that they cant take place at the cathedral itself, but … the goal of bringing the nation together will still move forward.”
The schedule and new locations, according to a cathedral news release:
Friday, Sept. 9
What: “A Concert to Honor” featuring Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and a performance of the Brahms Requiem to honor the victims of 9/11 and survivors, their families and emergency response personnel, as well as the nearly 6,000 fallen military service members whose lives have since been lost in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Addresses by military leaders and the Brahms Requiem performed by the Marine Chamber Orchestra and the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters with the Cathedral Choir.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
POSTPONED — “A Concert to Heal” and Community Gathering Day
Sunday, Sept. 11
What: Interfaith Prayer Vigil, where participants of diverse faiths will pray together and mark the moments when airplanes struck the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, hit the Pentagon, and crashed in Pennsylvania with the tolling of the largest bell in the cathedral tower.
Where: Washington Hebrew Congregation
When: 8:30-10 a.m.
Who: Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III; Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane; Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Washington Hebrew Congregation; Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche of Tibet, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama; Dr. D.C. Rao, a Hindu priest serving on the board of directors of the Inter Faith Conference; Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the Islamic Society of North America; and musician Humayun Khan
What: Forum on Compassion, a guided conversation on what people of faith share in common
Where: Washington Hebrew Congregation
When: 10:15–11 a.m.
Who: Author Karen Armstrong, Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III
What: Commemorative Holy Eucharist, a commemorative celebration of Holy Eucharist
Where: Washington Hebrew Congregation
When: 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Who: Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane, presiding; Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, preacher; the Rev. Dr. Kathy J. Nelson, president, F.I.S.H. Foundation Inc.
What: “A Concert for Hope,” a program of poetry, reading, reflections and classical and popular music
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7:30–9 p.m.
Who: Speakers including President Obama, and performing artists including Alan Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Denyce Graves and the Marine Chamber Orchestra
More on the National Cathedral’s woes:
— Crane topples during work at National Cathedral
— Quake-damaged cathedral hangs netting
— Cathedral damage will cost millions to repair
