He really does move in mysterious
ways
 By Elaine Sheridan
FANS have worshipped Bono in the past, but not like this.
In a trend that is sweeping the United States, U2 lyrics are now being
used in church sermons and U2 songs are replacing traditional chants.
Entire religious services are being dedicated to the message of U2. They
call them U2charists.
It is estimated that there are up to 40 Episcopal churches in the States
now using U2 — who had a hit with Mysterious Ways — as part
of the liturgy.
The movement has been spontaneous and uncoordinated. It is only in recent
months that individual churches have discovered that other parishes have
adopted the same idea as themselves.
It may seem an unlikely path for any church to take, but according to
Reverend Michael A, Smith of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Arizona,
it’s just been waiting to happen.
He’s known about U2’s religious connotations since the turn
of the century. He said: “It was back in 2000 when I heard the album
All That You Can’t Leave Behind.
“Then I realized that many of the lyrics were unambiguously theological.
So I started to looking for God in other U2 lyrics. Soon after that, I
began using U2 songs at youth retreats.”
He said: “I think Bono is a prophetic voice. He gives people who
are not familiar with the church a way to begin a conversation with God.”
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