Religion and Parish News

Bishop's Pastoral Letter for Lent

The following speaks, powerfully and truly, for itself  It was published in "The Tablet", 26 March. (Gerard Hore )

POPE FRANCIS'S PRAYER FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Forgive us for war, O Lord. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners! 

Lord Jesus, born in the shadows of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us! 

Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms in a bunker in Kharkiv, have mercy on us! 

Lord Jesus, a 20-year-old sent to the frontlines, have mercy on us! 

Lord Jesus, who still beholds armed hands in the shadow of your Cross, have mercy on us! 

Forgive us, if we continue like Cain to pick up the stones of our fields to kill Abel.

Illumine our consciences; 

May our will not be done; 

Abandon us not to our own actions! 

Stop us, O Lord, stop us! 

And when you have held back the hand of Cain, care also for him. He is our brother. 

O Lord, put a halt to the violence! 

Stop us, O Lord!