Bishop Patrick McKinney called on Catholics in England & Wales to prayer today, May 14, in solidarity with all people of faith for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Bishop McKinney is the Bishops’ Conference lead bishop for dialogue with other faiths.

The call for a day of prayer came from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity which was established last year during Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to the United Arab Emirates. Pope Francis said on 3 May that as prayer is a universal value, he backed the proposal from the Committee. He called on all to implore God to help humanity overcome the pandemic.

Bishop McKinney said:

“I warmly welcome the support of Pope Francis for the world-wide invitation to believers of all religions to unite spiritually on May 14 for a day of prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.

“Please join me in prayer, in a little fasting, and in an act of charity…as we pray in solidarity with people of faith all over the world for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity was established as a response to the document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in February 2019. As part of its mission, the Committee meets with religious and other world leaders in order “to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.”

The committee said: “We should not forget to seek refuge in God as we face such a severe crisis”…asking God “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 serious pandemic.”

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