Religious leaders embrace Patrick

Setting aside their differences over same-sex marriage, many of the leading black ministers in Boston plan on Tuesday night to praise and to pray for Governor-elect Deval Patrick , laying their hands on his head in the ancient Christian ritual symbol of blessing.

The prayer service will take place on the day the Legislature is scheduled to revive or kill a proposed ballot measure that would prohibit gay marriage in Massachusetts.

It will also take place at a church whose pastor, Bishop Gilbert A. Thompson , had been critical of Patrick's support for same-sex marriage.

It will also feature several other ministers who had forged close relationships with the outgoing governor, Mitt Romney , a Republican, despite the overwhelming support of the state's black voters for Democratic candidates.

Two days later, on inauguration day, Patrick will be blessed by numerous other religious leaders.

These will include some who have been outspoken in their efforts to prevent same-sex marriage, among them Roman Catholic Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley archbishop of Boston and a Springfield pastor, Talbert W. Swan II , who calls same-sex marriage a "moral travesty" and refers on his website to the "so-called love" depicted between two men in the Oscar-winning film "Brokeback Mountain."

The services will highlight the coalescing of a diverse group of religious leaders for events such as the inauguration of a governor.

It will also demonstrate the depth of enthusiasm among the state's black religious leaders -- more conservative historically black denominations as well as the more liberal mainline Protestant denominations -- over the election of the first black governor in this overwhelmingly white state.

The ministers have not changed their views on marriage, but say they agree with Patrick particularly on fighting crime and reducing poverty.

"What people underestimated was the ability of both sides to want to reach out to each other and to talk about issues -- to disagree without being disagreeable," said the Rev. Jeffrey L. Brown , pastor of Union Baptist Church in Cambridge.

Brown is among church leaders who oppose same-sex marriage and is close to Romney.

"For the African-American clergy, we're talking about the second black elected governor since Reconstruction, so the very real possibility of that became a catalyst to outweigh any differences that we would have," Brown said. "When it became very real that it could happen, you had folks who were saying, 'let's try to work this thing out,' and so now it's a very interesting turn -- now you have this event where we'll all be there."

The Patrick organization said the governor-elect had asked inauguration organizers to reach out to a broad spectrum of faith groups.

"The election is now over, and it's time to govern," said Beverly A. Morgan-Welch , executive director of the Museum of African American History. Morgan-Welch is organizing the interfaith service Thursday as cochairwoman of Patrick's inauguration committee.

"It's important to understand that the new governor is a person of faith, who understands the importance of building relationships and honoring the different faith dimensions of the Commonwealth."

At the service on Thursday morning, participants will include an array of religious leaders, including a Native American tribal chief, rabbis and an imam, as well as leaders drawn from the entire spectrum of Christianity, including mainline Protestants, evangelicals, Greek Orthodox, Mormons and Christian Scientists.

But Patrick will also be blessed at the Thursday interfaith prayer service at Old South Meeting House by several African-American religious leaders who strongly support same-sex marriage -- Unitarian Universalist Association president William G. Sinkford , Episcopal Bishop Gayle E. Harris , and the American Baptist preacher, the Rev. Peter J. Gomes , who heads Harvard's Memorial Church.

"This is an important occasion for us to come together in prayer on behalf of Governor Patrick, his administration, and the people of the Commonwealth," said Terrence C. Donilon , a spokesman for Cardinal O'Malley. "We acknowledge that we hold different positions on some important issues facing our state, but will always be open to the opportunity to work together for the common good."

Patrick's religious outreach will continue beyond the inauguration; he has also agreed to speak Jan. 12 at Temple Israel, the largest synagogue in Boston. At the temple, he will headline an event marking the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"We want our values to appear in government, and we want his legislation to reflect what we know is right," said Rabbi Stephanie Kolin of Temple Israel.

The tensions between black clergy and Patrick began when Thompson , the president of the Black Ministerial Alliance and a leading critic of same-sex marriage, last year criticized Patrick's support of same-sex marriage from the pulpit.

But Thompson, who hosted an interfaith service for Romney on the eve of his inauguration, is now effusive in his support for Patrick -- calling the incoming governor in an interview this week "a powerful leader," and "the most qualified man for the job."

Asked about the dispute over the marriage issue, Thompson said, "You could say we got off to a rocky start, but I would just say we had a difference of opinion."

Thompson is senior pastor of the Jubilee Christian Church in Mattapan, a church that has one of the largest religious congregations in the state, and counts Patrick's sister and brother-in-law among its deacons.

"That's just one issue," Thompson said of same-sex marriage. "I'm glad he [Patrick] is the governor, and I support him fully."

Brown said some clergy, including himself, have also begun to see the marriage issue differently, saying, "there's more gray area there, more nuance, than people who are openly political about it are willing to admit."

Patrick, who could not be reached for comment, made an effort to reach out to black clergy this year. He met with the ministers in May to air differences over the marriage issue and to talk about shared interests.

Michael Paulson can be reached at mpaulson@globe.com.