FALL RIVER— The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is extending an invitation to “believers of all religions and people of good will” to observe a day of prayer, fasting and works of charity on Thursday, May 14.

This Day of Prayer for Humanity, endorsed by Pope Francis earlier this month, is a way to offer a united spiritual appeal to God for help in overcoming the pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., is sharing this invitation with members of the Fall River Diocese for those who may choose to participate in this Day of Prayer in a manner they wish.

The bishop has forwarded to priests in the diocese the invitation to the initiative as received from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and has asked that it be shared it some way with parishioners.

The idea for the Day of Prayer for Humanity was conceived by the international Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. In a letter, the committee writes that along with the role of medicine and science in fighting this pandemic, “we should not forget to seek refuge in God, as we face this severe crisis.

“Therefore, we call upon all peoples around the world to pray according to each one’s, respective religious convictions, to observe fast and to do good deeds to end this pandemic. May each of us, wherever we are, and according to the teachings of our own respective faith traditions and philosophies, seek divine help to rescue ourselves and the entire world from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure for the virus and to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of  this serious pandemic.”

The committee calls for all religious leaders and peoples around the world to respond to this call together: “to beseech God, the Almighty to safeguard the entire world, to help humanity overcome this pandemic, to restore security, stability, health, and prosperity.”

It is its hope that this united action will foster the world becoming a “better place for humanity and for human fraternity than ever before” once the pandemic crisis has passed.

Reverendísimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
Reverendísimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River