As his retirement nears, longtime dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City looks back

From Oklahoma-


The Rev. George Back remembers the weeks immediately following the Oklahoma City bombing, and a tear escapes from the corner of his eye.

He talks of the busy days spent comforting rescue workers who sought respite at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, where he is dean. Then, there were days filled with meetings and fundraisers resulting from the extensive damage the bombing wrought on the historic downtown church, 127 NW 7.

Back said he tried to dispel the darkness of the hour with the light of faith through hopeful and compassionate words and deeds for his congregation and the surrounding community.
It was at night that the priest would connect with the pain going on around him. He said he slept only to be awakened hours later by waves of grief and other emotions.
The first tear was joined by others as these memories bubbled to the surface recently.
The journey down memory lane comes as Back’s 28 years as senior clergyman of St. Paul’s are coming to an end.

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