Apr 10, 2009 4:58 pm US/Central
Poor Economy Revives Religion In Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The Good Friday re-enactment in Pilsen.
CBS
Some churches report more people in the pews this Holy Week, including families fearful about their financial future.
Indeed, at what may be the most famous of Chicago's many Good Friday re-enactments, CBS 2's Mike Flannery found the faithful turned out in larger numbers than last year.
Shopkeeper Efrain Loza says a half-dozen businesses have shut down recently in this part of Pilsen. Sales are down 70 percent at Loza's shop, which features Mexican and Mexican-American art works.
"If the economy stays like this for half-a-year, or one-year, I'm gone," he said.
Loza said he and many others here are praying to God for an econonmic miracle. Right on cue, as it has for more than 30 years, today's Way of the Cross procession passed Loza's shop on 18th Street.
"We're afraid, we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow," said an emotional Nancy Hylton, who was among the observers.
During the re-enactment of the Crucifixion, city worker Arturo Raigosa played the role of Jesus. It concluded at St. Adalbert's Church, where Cardinal George joined worshippers. Some in the big crowd who've suffered in the down economy said this Good Friday liturgy was especially comforting at this time.
"Honestly, just everybody turns to Jesus, in keeping the faith," Raigosa said. "That's all they have sometimes."
Bishop John Manz of the Chicago Archdiocese said Friday's crowd was bigger than last year, in part perhaps because of the bad economy.
"That's nothing necessarily new," he said. "They say back in the Great Depression it was that way, too."
Many said it their troubles are nothing compared to what Jesus went through.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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