Seattle bishops ask Catholics to fast, pray for peace in Syria today
Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain
SEATTLE -- Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo asked Catholics to “take to heart” Pope Francis’ call for a day of prayer and fasting to be held today for peace in Syria.
Pope Francis made his request during his Angelus prayer at the Vatican last Sunday.
Calling this a “critical moment of world tension,” Archbishop Sartain and Bishop Elizondo asked all parishes and Catholic people to make this Saturday a day of prayer for peace.
“Our common prayer and penance can change hearts — particularly our own — and proclaim that as Christians we are people of peace,” the bishops wrote to parish leaders. “By God’s grace, our prayer, united with that of others around the world, can have profound and far-reaching effect.”
Parishes also were granted permission by the archbishop to use special prayers for peace during Sunday masses.
“May peace reign in Syria and the Middle East, in the entire world, and in our hearts,” the bishops wrote.