AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Prayer and fasting to end fighting between government and farmers: “We will pray so as to remove the obstacles on the path to dialogue.”

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – In facing the prolonged conflict raging between the rural sector and the government, the Church is making an appeal to pray for social peace and for a prompt solution to the conflict. Many Bishops continue to ask both the government and the members of the rural sector to begin a dialogue “without pressures,” that will allow them to reach a definitive resolution.
“We invite all to actively participate, with faith, in praying for harmony, dialogue, and armistice among Argentineans,” the statement from the Diocese of Gualeguaychú read. The interreligious prayer will take place today, in the Urquiza Plaza at 7pm. All are asked to bring a candle “as a sign of the light that we wish to ask from God.” “We will pray so as to remove the obstacles on the path to dialogue with prayers and moments of silence.”
The Bishops and priests of the Archdiocese of Parana have asked that “the entire People of God intensify their prayer for our country” and call all the faithful to a day of fasting and prayer on June 18. They also propose that all communities join in Eucharistic Adoration, especially from 8am-12pm, including school students and catechism classes, and all faithful. At 4pm, they will all unite in prayer “together with other Christians and believers in God, in an interreligious tone.”
The Archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz Jose Maria Arancedo has asked all to participate in a Mass for “dialogue, encounter, and peace among all Argentineans,” which will be held at the Parish of Our Lady of Peace. At the end of the Mass, an ecumenical prayer for peace will be recited.
The Archbishop of Rosario Jose Luis Mollaghan has asked that the Prayer for the Nation and the Rosary be “a constant prayer,” during this time of social tension, and asked that the Prayer for the Nation be recited after every Mass.
The Archbishop of San Juan de Cuyo, Alfonso Delgado, has asked that all Christians and believers in God “join in the great effort for peace that is implied in the faith-filled prayer for Argentina, with a sincere desire for justice.”
The Bishop of Villa de la Concepción del Río Cuarto, Eduardo Eliseo Martín, has asked the entire diocesan community, leaders and commonplace citizens to “work with wisdom and prudence” and gather in the Churches, especially during the Masses to “pray fervently for our country,” asking Christ, “for His peace and strength, and that He may grant us wisdom in dialogue and joy in a hope that does not fail.” The Bishop will lead this prayer on June 20, at 8:30 in the Cathedral.
Both in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Valley, as well as in the parishes of the Diocese of Caramarca, the Prayer for the Nation will be recited at the Masses. Bishop Luis Urbanc and his priests have asked all families and all people to pray.
The Shrine of Maria del Rosario de San Nicolas has organized a Day of Prayer for the Nation that will include Eucharistic Adoration (from 8:30am to 7pm), continuous recitation of the Holy Rosary (from 8:30am to 8:30pm), and Masses (at 8am, 11:30am, 3pm, 19pm).
The Bishop of Puerto Iguazu, Marcelo Martorell, has asked all the Diocese to join in a Day of Prayer for “peace, serenity, harmony, and magnanimity of heart through dialogue.” The Bishop of Puerto Iguazu will preside a Mass today in the Cathedral, at 7:30pm, praying especially for this intention that “concerns us all.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2008)