"In
this most Holy of Weeks, I applaud my brother
Bishops in Zimbabwe for their courage in speaking
out in defence of the oppressed and the poor of
Zimbabwe in this most difficult and desperate of
times.
I
feel sure that the prayers and thoughts of the
Catholic people of England and Wales are there for
our suffering brothers and sisters at this time.
I
am certain too that many of our people will be
alongside them in prayer and solidarity, especially
on Saturday April 14th which has been a declared a
Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe by the
Bishops of Zimbabwe."
Bishop
Crispian has asked all the parishes in the
Portsmouth diocese to remember the people of
Zimbabwe in their prayers, and especially on the
weekend of April 14th and 15th. Bishop
Crispian visited Zimbabwe and met with the bishops 18
months ago and hopes to be able to visit them again in
2008.
+Crispian
Hollis
Zimbabwe's
bishops call national day of prayer
(from Independent Catholic
News www.indcatholicnews.com
)
Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops
have set aside Saturday, April 14 as a day of prayer
and fasting for the country. This will be followed by
a prayer service for Zimbabwe on Friday every week in
all parishes.
The Catholic Information
Service Africa (CISA) has sent us the full text of the
prayer for the nation, written by the bishops:
God Our Father
You have given all peoples
one common origin
And your will is to gather
them as one family in yourself
Give compassion to our
leaders, integrity to our citizens, and repentance to
us all
Fill the hearts of all
women and men with your love
And the desire to ensure
justice for all their brothers and sisters
By sharing the good things
you give us
May we ensure justice and
equality for every human being
An end to all division,
and a human society built on love,
Lasting prosperity and
peace for all
We ask this through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source: CISA
