Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 23, 2002
The Assisi meeting: Praying for global peace
Tomorrow, at the invitation of Pope John Paul II, more than 150 religious leaders will make a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, to offer prayers for global peace. Among those participating are other Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and some two dozen Muslims.
People of good will and of numerous faiths will be praying for the success of the daylong meeting and its intention before and during the event.
The 81-year-old pope, ever committed to peace, announced the meeting in November. The pontiff said he called for the event because the world, fractured by terrorism and conflict, "needs to see gestures of peace and hear words of hope."
The religious leaders will gather in the morning to share reflections on faith and peace. They will then move to different parts of the city to pray in their own faith traditions. Christians will gather together for prayer in the Basilica of St. Francis.
The gathering is meant to be a sign of solidarity condemning the use of violence in the name of religion. The day is expected to end with the participants signing a commitment to peace.
The pope has asked that today be used as a time of universal prayer for tomorrow's meeting. The archdiocese is sponsoring an ecumenical prayer vigil for peace with Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and Metropolitan Isaiah, head of the Greek Orthodox Denver Diocese, 7:30 tonight at Christ the King Chapel. The chapel is at the John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele Street, Denver.
All are invited to the service, which will be developed from both faith traditions.
Various parishes are holding their own events, and families and individuals, too, are encouraged to pray for peace.
The pope has held two other interfaith gatherings in Assisi to promote peace. In 1986, more than 60 religious representatives convened there. During that gathering fighting was halted in several war-zones for 24 hours, at the pope's request. In 1993, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders gathered in Assisi to pray for an end to conflicts in Europe.
"No matter how humanly difficult it may seem to look toward the future with optimism, we must not give in to the temptation of discouragement," the pope said during his Jan. 1 Mass marking the World Day of Peace. "On the contrary, we must work for peace with courage, certain that evil will not prevail."
Throughout his papacy, Pope John Paul II has fostered justice, forgiveness and peace. He has urged the faithful to do the same. Today provides a golden opportunity to begin or to continue that work.
We encourage all to attend the liturgy for peace at Christ the King Chapel, or a parish event, or to pray a rosary with your family, or to say a prayer alone.
For Christians, hope is ever present.
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