Posted on 03/27/2006 4:46:38 PM PST by NYer
ROME, MARCH 27, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of Baghdad has proposed April 3-4 as days of fasting and prayer for peace in Iraq.
Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni read the patriarch's appeal on Sunday, during a visit to the Italian city of Gallipoli.
"We have estranged ourselves from God by our deeds," wrote the patriarch in the message, which was reported by Italian bishops' SIR news service; "we do not obey his will, and we have moved away from piety and virtue, from forgiveness, and because of this the blood of so many brothers has been shed and so many children have remained orphans."
For this reason, the Christian representative said, "we must return, repentant to God's house to do the will of our sovereign God."
"To achieve this sublime objective," the message said, "we invite all Iraqis, in and outside of Iraq, and all believers and people of good will, to prayer and fasting this coming Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th of April, so that the Lord will restore peace, tranquility and security to Iraq, country of our beloved Abraham."
Recall that Jesus was a Jew, as were His apostles and the Blessed Mother. What more fitting way to remember them through such a small sacrifice, especially in this holy season of Lent.
I'm in. Not only for peace for the suffering eastern Christians but also for our soldiers.
I'm convinced that there can only be a spiritual resolve to this conflict. A few days of fasting and prayer will be a good start.
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