Catholics urged to heed Pope’s call to prayer amid coronavirus crisis

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday urged the faithful to heed Pope Francis’ invitation to prayer as the world continues to face the threat of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Pope Francis has invited all Christians to join in praying the “Our Father” as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Holy Father called “the heads of Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all the Christians of the various confessions” to recite at the same time the “Our Father” on Wednesday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.

“Heeding the Pope’s invitation, we recommend that we will pray together the Lord’s Prayer at 7 p.m. on March 25,” CBCP secretary general Fr. Marvin Mejia said in a circular addressed to bishops and diocesan administrators.

“The Holy Father also announced that on Friday, March 27, he will preside over a moment of prayer, with him giving the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) blessing with the possibility of gaining plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it through the various forms of communication,” he said.

Mejia also encouraged the faithful to tune in to a live broadcast from the Vatican beginning 1 a.m. on March 28 (Manila time).

Meanwhile, Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP public affairs committee executive secretary, welcomed President Duterte’s declaration of the fourth week of March 2020 as National Week of Prayer to unite Filipinos from all faiths and religions in prayer amid the threat of COVID-19 to the country.

“The Catholic church has been earnestly invoking the God of consolation and healing in this trying time and the call of the government for a public observance of prayer is a welcome development,” Secillano said in an interview.

“Calling for a national week of prayer is a recognition that this crisis is best confronted not only with practical strategies but [also] with a deep sense of faith,” he said, adding that “prayer is one way to keep us all united.”Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David on Sunday also appealed to Catholic faithful as well as those from other religions to pray for healthcare workers who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.

“Whoever you are, if you are reading this at this very moment, would you kindly join our invisible web of prayer warriors who are on the front lines of another aspect of this fight against the COVID-19—namely, the spiritual battle?” David said in a post on his Facebook page.“No matter if you’re Muslim, or Buddhist, or Catholic, or Protestant … can you please join in praying fervently that God protect our front-liners who put their lives on the line to protect us from this devastating plague?” he added. INQ