‘Trusting in the power of God,’ Vatican seeks an end to COVID-19 pandemic
by Conference of European Churches | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Pope Francis is calling on Christians to join him in a noon Wednesday prayer to end the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Conference of European Churches)
LOUISVILLE — Upon the invitation of Pope Francis, Christians around the world are invited to pray the Lord’s Prayer on Wednesday at noon Rome Time, noon local time — or any other time meaningful to them.
According to a news release from the Conference of European Churches, the papal call to prayer is in response to the effects that COVID-19 has had on the world.
The Conference of European Churches is joining the pope in the prayer undertaking, as are other organizations including the National Council of Churches.
“During these times of global uncertainty, we need signs of unity and hope,” CEC President the Rev. Christian Krieger and CEC General Secretary Dr. Jørgen Skov Sørensen said in the release. “The prayer that has been taught to us by Christ unites Christianity across space and time. Christians of all countries and Christians of all times have addressed God with these words which invoke the coming of [God’s] reign.”
“The world today calls us to be united,” the CEC said, “not only fighting against this devastating pandemic, but also in order to support one another and to feel in communion, remembering to draw lessons from this crisis.”
In a letter to the CEC dated Monday, Vatican President Kurt Cardinal Koch said that it’s his hope “that you will join this initiative in which all Christians invoking together the graces from heaven will ask for the end of this pandemic, trusting in the power of God.”
“May the Lord listen to the united prayer of all His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ,” Koch said.
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