Archbishop Kurtz: Do not forget the power of prayer amid violence

Last updated on: July 23, 2014 at 4:50 pm by CNA Daily News

Archbishop Kurtz: Do not forget the power of prayer amid violence 2014-07-23T16:50:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Jul 23, 2014 / 10:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Surrounded by numerous violent conflicts throughout the world, the faithful should not forget the power of prayer, said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“In the coming days and weeks I urge you to ask our Catholic people to pray for peace and to support diplomatic efforts aimed at dialogue and reconciliation,” Archbishop Kurtz said in a July 22 letter to the U.S. bishops. “As Jesus admonishes us: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’.”

The world’s violent conflicts “cry out for peace,” demanding both prayer and action, he said, encouraging prayers for peace both in personal devotion and during the prayers of the faithful at Mass.

“We should never underestimate the power of prayer; for it touches and opens us to the power of God among us,” the archbishop emphasized. “My prayer is that together we might help open our world to God’s gift of peace, a peace that the world cannot give.”

Archbishop Kurtz, who heads Kentucky’s Archdiocese of Louisville, noted Pope Francis’ recent attention to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

The Pope has singled out the “terrible crisis” facing Christians in Iraq, saying on July 20, “Today our brothers are persecuted. They are banished from their homes and forced to flee without even being able to take their belongings!”

Archbishop Kurtz noted that the “alarming conflicts” of Iraq and Syria have driven millions from their homes.

He also referenced the “terrible conflict between Israel and Hamas,” saying it “terrorizes Israeli civilians” and has killed more than 500 Gazans, predominantly civilians.

“We are mindful of the violent conflict in Ukraine, of the thousands who are displaced, and the hundreds of innocent civilians whose lives were cut short when a passenger jet was shot down,” the archbishop added.

In addition, he mentioned the “often forgotten clashes” of Africa in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have killed thousands and displaced many more.

The archbishop also lamented the Central American violence driving unaccompanied children to seek refuge in the U.S.

He again cited Pope Francis, who said on Sunday, “May the God of peace arouse in all an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace!”

Archbishop Kurtz urged the bishops to join their prayers and calls to action with Pope Francis’ words.

Previous Post

July 23, 2014

Pope Francis to meet with 20 young Asian leaders

Next Post

July 23, 2014 Australians mourn those killed in Malaysia Airlines crash

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who follows the rider of the Pale Horse in Revelation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Four Winds The Saints Hades The Angel Gabriel