Pope, bishop call for prayer and fasting to bring peace to Syria and the Middle East

On Sunday, Sept. 7, citing the many conflicts around the world and specially in Syria, Pope Francis called for a vigil by the Catholic Church around the world, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria and the Middle East. “My heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria," the Holy Father said.

"All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace," Pope Francis said.

As part of that vigil, Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey will preside at the 5:30 vigil Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Catholics across the Diocese of Corpus Christi–together with all people of good will–are urged to fast and pray for peace throughout the day of the vigil.

“I am asking everyone to join Pope Francis and the universal Church in this. I encourage you to pray the rosary as a community or in the family. It would also be appropriate to make time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday,” Bishop Mulvey said.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined Pope Francis in asking the faithful to join in prayer and fasting. Last Friday, the bishops reaffirmed an earlier message of the Holy Father “that the path of dialogue and negotiation between all components of Syrian society, with the support of the international community, is the only option to put an end to the conflict.”

In a statement on behalf of the USCCB, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said, “As our nation’s leaders contemplate military action, it is particularly appropriate and urgent that we in the United States embrace the Holy Father’s call to pray and fast…for a peaceful end to the conflict in Syria and to violent conflicts everywhere.”

“Prayer is our strength and our shield as we ask the Lord to assist all those who are innocent victims of war and violence and to convert the hearts of those who seek violence and war as a way to bring about their political or ideological agendas,” Bishop Mulvey said.