Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Pope Francis has reiterated his support for the inter-religious day of prayer, fasting and charitable works slated for Thursday, May 14, 2020 to seek God’s intervention to end COVID-19.
The suggestion was raised by The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an international religious grouping, which was set up in February 2019 when Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb met in Abu Dhabi to sign a joint document on human fraternity, calling for the reconciliation of people of goodwill in service of universal peace.
“Since prayer is a universal value, I have accepted the proposal of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity that on 14 May, believers of all religions should unite spiritually for a day of prayer, fasting, and works of charity, to implore God to help to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic,” Pope Francis said on Sunday May 3,emphasizing that “believers of different traditions pray, fast, and perform works of charity.”
In calling for a worldwide prayer day the Committee said, “While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pandemic, we should not forget to seek refuge in God as we face such severe crisis.”
“Each one from wherever they are, and according to the teachings of their religion, faith, or sect, should implore God to lift this pandemic off, to rescue us all from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure that can turn back this disease, and to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this pandemic,” the committee said.
They further called on all religious leaders and people from around the world to take part and join in the prayers, anticipating that after COVID-19, “our world will become a better place for humanity and fraternity than ever before.”
The Committee will also share on this day, the message of the document on the Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together which was sign in Abu Dhabi 2019.
The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity currently has nine members including religious leaders, educational scholars and cultural figures from across the world. The committee meets “to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence” as part of its mission.