WASHINGTON—The President
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of
Galveston-Houston, is encouraging Catholics across the nation to join with Pope
Francis on Friday, February 23, for a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for
Peace. The day of prayer and fasting will focus on continued conflicts in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, South Sudan and other areas of the world.

Reflecting on the
suffering caused by violent conflict, Pope Francis said, “Our heavenly Father
always listens to His children who cry to Him in sorrow and anguish, who ‘heals
the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:3). I make a heartfelt
appeal so that we also listen to this cry and, each one of us in his/her own
conscience before God, ask ourselves, ‘What can I do for peace?'”

Cardinal DiNardo’s full
statement follows:

“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called us to observe a special day
of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on Friday, February 23, as Lent begins, with a particular
concern for the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Tragically,
violent conflict rages in both nations. South Sudan won its independence in 2011 only to find itself a victim to
corruption and a bloody civil war. In
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the government fails to honor the constitution
as the Catholic Church courageously promotes a peaceful resolution of the
conflict between the ruling and opposition parties. In both countries, innocent families suffer.

Let us answer the Holy Father’s call to pray and fast for peace,
especially for the Church and peoples of South Sudan and the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. And let us turn our fasting into almsgiving and support
the work of Catholic Relief Services in both countries.

May God bless South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and our
world with peace.”

To learn more about
the special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace and for additional resources on
how Catholics can respond, please visit: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/war-and-peace/day-of-prayer-and-fasting-for-peace.cfm.

—
Keywords: U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Pope Francis, Holy Father, Cardinal
Daniel N. DiNardo, Day of Prayer and Fasting, Democratic Republic of Congo, South
Sudan, violent conflict, peaceful resolution, almsgiving, Catholic Relief
Services.

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Media Contact:
Judy
Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops