Catholic groups in Argentina are planning prayer meetings for peace to coincide with Sunday’s event at the Vatican with the Presidents of Israel and Palestine and Pope Francis.
In Argentina, ‘Un minuto por la paz,’ is directed at followers of all religions worldwide and recalls the Pope’s words before leaving Jerusalem: «To construct peace is difficult, but to live without peace is agony,» according to a June 5 article in L’Osservatore Romano.
Participants are asked to pray each day up until Sunday, but especially tomorrow. «Where anyone is, at 1pm, stop, kneel and recite a prater for peace, each according to their tradition,» the organisers say.
The initiative, launched by the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Catholic Action, the International Forum of Catholic Action, and the World Union of Catholic Women’s organizations, has quickly spread across social media.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference has asked that, on the day of the meeting, faithful go to church and pray for two things: peace in the Middle East and that the Vatican prayer meeting is a success.
Pope Francis will welcome Presidents Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican on Sunday afternoon where they will spend moments praying together for peace. (D.C.L.)
