POPE Francis has called on believers of all religions around the world to pray together today, May 14, to ask God to end the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Pope announced on May 3 that Catholics will join in an initiative to dedicate May 14 to fasting, prayer, and charity to implore God for the end of the pandemic. On this day, he said, “believers of all religions should unite spiritually for a day of prayer, fasting, and works of charity, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic.”
The proposal for a World Day of Prayer was first made by the High Committee for Human Fraternity, established in September, 2019, in response to a Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhnar, during the Pope’s visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2019. “Prayer is a universal value,” the Pope said as he endorsed the Day of Prayer. “Remember, May 14, all believers together, believers in the different traditions, to pray, to fast, and to do works of charity.”
In Manila, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, said the call for prayer is in line with the Philippine Catholic Church’s observance of the Year of Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue.” “To make our act of charity complete, I invite everyone to extend material help to at least one person within your reach,” he said in a pastoral statement. He said the amount does not matter. “What is important is to make others feel the care we have for each other.”
Bishop Pabillo said not only Christians but also other religions will be participating in today’s Day of Prayer. “Prayer, fasting, and acts of love are common to all and we are all affected by this pandemic,” he said. “May this sign of unity among us draw us to the one source of all goodness.”
The whole world today is suffering the ravages of COVID-19. As of Monday, May 11, the World Health Organization reported a total of 3,917,366 confirmed cases, with 74,361 deaths. The United States had the most cases – 1,245,775, with 75,364 deaths. It is followed by three nations in Europe – United Kingdom with 215,264 cases, 31,587 deaths; Italy 218,268 cases, 30,395 deaths; and Spain, 223,578 cases, 26,478 deaths.
The next four are Brazil, 145,328 cases, 9,897 deaths; Iran, 106,220 cases, 6,589 deaths; China, 84,430 cases, 4,643 deaths; and India, 62,939 cases, 2,109 deaths. Compared to these nations at the top of the list, the Philippines has fared relatively well – 10,610 cases, with 704 deaths.
COVID-19 has struck at the world’s nations, without regard for religion or any national trait. They may have different religious, political, social, and other customs and beliefs, but they should be able to pray as one today for God to end the pandemic.
