Indian Latin bishops call for prayer and fasting for peace in the Middle East

Catholics across India urged to pray the Rosary for a week and observe Lenten fasting as bishops express concern over escalating violence and its impact on the global human family.

NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) — The Latin Catholic Church in India has called on Catholics across the country to unite in prayer for peace in the Middle East, warning that war and instability bring suffering to the entire human family.

In a circular issued from the general secretariat of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, president of the conference, urged the faithful to observe Sunday, March 8, as a Day of Prayer for Peace in response to escalating violence and instability in the Middle East.

“In these days marked by increasing unrest and violence in the Middle East,” the March 3 statement reads, “we invite the entire Latin Church in India to unite in prayer and supplication for peace,” while “the suffering caused by war and instability affects the entire human family.”

The appeal was addressed to archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, catechists and lay people of the Latin Catholic Church in India.

As part of the initiative, Catholics have been asked to pray the Rosary daily from March 8 to March 14, invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary for reconciliation, dialogue and peace. The bishops also called on the faithful to observe a day of fasting on Friday, March 13, during Lent.

Concern for Indians in the region

Cardinal Ferrão, who is also archbishop of Goa and Daman, also drew attention to the many Indians living and working across the Middle East.

“Supporting their families from afar and contributing generously to both the life of the Church and our nation,” he said, they remain a particular concern for the Church at a time of uncertainty.

“In this time of uncertainty, we entrust them in a special way to the Lord’s protection and pray for their safety, integrity, and well-being,” the cardinal said.

The statement also asks that Masses be celebrated on March 8 in churches throughout the country with the specific intention of peace in the Middle East.

Parishes have been encouraged to include special petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful, asking for an end to hostilities, protection for innocent lives and wisdom among political leaders.

The bishops concluded their appeal by expressing hope that the collective spiritual effort of Catholics could help foster peace.

“May our common prayer, our penance, and our solidarity become a humble plea before Almighty God, that hearts may be converted, hostilities may cease, and peace may prevail,” the statement said.