Bishop Pates Urges Prayer and Action During Lent for Peace in the Holy Land

WASHINGTON—Catholics can make praying for peace in the Holy Land part of their Lenten journey by using resources from the Justice, Peace and Human Development department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The bishop who chairs the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace a

WASHINGTON—Catholics can make praying for peace in the Holy Land part of their Lenten journey by using resources from the Justice, Peace and Human Development department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The bishop who chairs the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace also urges U.S. Catholics to act and speak out for peace.

In a January 24 letter, Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, urged U.S. Catholics to “focus prayer and attention on peace in the Holy Land this year.” Bishop Pates cited efforts by the United States to move Israel and Palestine toward adopting a framework for peace as a serious matter in need of much prayer.

“In the coming weeks, I invite you to pray regularly for Israeli-Palestinian peace,” he wrote. He also encouraged Catholics to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers and let their neighbors and public officials know of their support for the issue.

Resources provided by USCCB in English and Spanish include a Way of the Cross and suggested Prayers of the Faithful. They are posted online: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/israel-palestine/index.cfm

Bishop Pates’ letter is also available online: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/israel-palestine/letter-to-us-catholic-community-from-bishop-pates-on-holy-land-2014-02-24.cfm
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Keywords: Lent, resources, Bishop Richard E. Pates, Holy Land, peace, prayer, action, Israel, Palestine, International Justice and Peace, Way of the Cross, Prayers of the Faithful
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