全球天主教徒禁食为中东祈祷

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耶路沙冷天主教徒号召全球天主教徒禁食为中东祈祷

The Roman Catholic Church and Hindu temples
join Jerusalem in a fast for Saturday,
07 September 2013 against war in Syria

Holy Land joins Pope Francis' day of prayer for peace in Syria, Mideast

            

2013-09-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Saturday, Christians in the Holy Land will be observing the day
called by Pope Francis for fasting and prayer for peace in Syria.
The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land together with the Latin Parish in Jerusalem
have invited all Christians there to join in the observances to pray for peace in the
Middle East, Syria and Egypt.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, William Shomali told Tracey McClure
“we took very seriously this wish of his Holiness.
The Catholics of Jerusalem will meet at Gethsemane Church on Saturday evening at
8:30 p.m. for an hour of adoration. We invited all the Catholic community of Jerusalem,
even the non-Catholic communities – some of them will participate.
This is the wish of the Holy Father also.”
Listen to the interview with Bishop Shomali:
The prayer vigil at the Basilica of Gethsemane will be followed by a candlelight
procession in the Garden of Olives. The Crypt of the Armenian Catholic Church
at the fourth station of the Via Dolorosa will also remain open for private and
silent prayer from 7 pm until midnight Saturday in union with pilgrims gathered
for the vigil in St. Peter’s square in Rome.
Though the “major event” will take place in Jerusalem, Bishop Shomali explains
that priests in parishes across the diocese are planning their own spiritual activities
and vigils.
“f or example in Ramallah, where we have one of our biggest parishes,
the mass will be celebrated in the church of the Greek Catholics.
Then the faithful will go to the Islamic club in Ramallah with candles in
procession and Muslims will join them until they reach the Latin Catholic church.
In this way, they are including with them non-Christians because prayer
is not only for Catholics. It is for everyone.”
Bishop Shomali says churches in the Holy Land have prayed for peace in
the past but this time, things are different, and special.
“ We prayed in the past for peace but not in this way, where we are united to
all the Catholic churches in the world. So this unity and communion is something
special and the emotional call done by his Holiness is also special.
And the covering
of the event in the local newspapers is also special. I give an example:
in our daily newspaper Al-Quds – it’s not religious, it’s the national newspaper
read by all Palestinians – two columns were reserved to publicize this event.”
http://www.news.va/en/news/holy- ... y-of-prayer-for-pea

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ASIA/INDIA - Christians and Hindus united in fasting and prayer for peace in Syria
Vasai - Fasting and prayer for peace in Syria sees Christians and Hindus in India united.
This is what was said to Fides Agency by His Exc. Mgr. Felix Machado,
Bishop of Vasai and President of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious
Dialogue of the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences" .
" The Pope's appeal for a special Day for peace in Syria - says the Bishop to Fides –
was welcomed with joy and enthusiasm by Christians in India, and now has spread
to the leaders and the Hindu communities. Some Hindu leaders called me to express
solidarity and to ensure fasting and prayer in the Hindu temples".

The Bishops' Conference of India has invited all dioceses to organize prayer vigils.
" In India - explains the Bishop - the fact that the appeal is also addressed to the faithful
of other religions and all people of good will was very much appreciated.
These gestures are very important for us ".
" The initiative - continues Bishop Machado - comes at a very favorable moment because
it is the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, deeply felt by Indian Christians.
The churches are already full. Tomorrow we will add the special intention for peace in
Syria during the liturgies. The Hindu faithful are very sensitive to this Marian feast.
In particular, the weapon of fasting is universal, it is very dear to Hindus and is capable
of uniting the faithful of all religions in a deep spiritual communion".
" The faithful Indians and Hindus also thank Pope Francis,
who is very much loved in our country,
and hope to see him soon in India ", the Bishop concluded.