U.S. Catholic bishops issue peace prayer ahead of Holy Week

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a name for prayer for peace within the Middle East and an finish to the Israel-Hamas struggle in an announcement Saturday, the day earlier than the begin of Holy Week. 

“As the Church enters Holy Week and Christ’s suffering on the cross and his resurrection are made present to us so vividly, we are connected to the very source of hope,” the assertion mentioned.

The assertion was signed by USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services and Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon.

Zaidan, a Maronite Catholic, is the chair of the USCCB’s worldwide justice and peace committee. His eparchy, the equal of a “diocese” in Eastern Catholic church buildings, relies in Los Angeles. 

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The assertion was signed by Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Broglio, above, is president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

“It is that hope that spurs us to call on Catholics here in the United States and all those of good will to renew their prayers for an end to the raging Israel-Hamas war.” 

Holy Week is the weeklong interval ahead of Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday, when Christians commemorate Jesus returning to Jerusalem, and ends on Holy Saturday, the day earlier than Easter Sunday. 

“Thousands of innocent people have died in this conflict, and thousands more have been displaced and face tremendous suffering,” the bishops mentioned. “This must stop.” 

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The bishops mentioned there must be a “cease-fire and permanent cessation of war and violence” along with the return of hostages. (AP/Ariel Schalit)

“One cannot move forward in war,” Pope Francis just lately mentioned. “We must make every effort to negotiate, to negotiate, to end the war.” 

This struggle, they mentioned, should cease.

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Pope Francis (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

“To move forward, a cease-fire and a permanent cessation of war and violence is absolutely necessary,” the bishops mentioned.

“To move forward, those held hostage must be released, and civilians must be protected. To move forward, humanitarian aid must reach those who are in such dire need.”

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Christians, mentioned the bishops, are “rooted in the hope of the resurrection.” 

“So, we pray for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land,” they added. 

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Since the beginning of the struggle in Israel, the USCCB has persistently issued requires peace, prayer, fasting and the discharge of hostages captured by Hamas. The convention has additionally decried the deaths of civilians. 

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