Baghdad (Fides Service) - Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and chairman of the council of Catholic Bishops in Iraq has called on believers of all faiths in Iraq and the world over to fast and pray on 3 and 4 April for peace in Iraq where violence continues to escalate.
In a message issued recently the patriarch writes” “As sons and daughters of the one family of the Iraqi people - the Patriarch says - in the name of Almighty God, King of love and peace who loves humanity and wishes us all to live according to his Holy Will, let us love one another”.
“I call on our brothers and sisters Iraqis of all religions and ethnic origin - the Patriarch continues to pray to the almighty and sovereign Lord to have mercy on the children of Mesopotamia and to bless them with infinite grace. We have distanced ourselves from God with our actions not in keeping with His will. Because we have failed to live with piety and virtue, forgiveness and mercy the blood of so many brothers and sisters has been shed and many children have become orphans.
Now what we must do is to return to the house of the Father, repentant and ready to do his will. This is why we ask you, all believers of all faiths, all men and women of good will in Iraq and in the rest of the world to join our fasting and prayer on 3 and 4 April: that the Lord God may restore peace, calm and security to Iraq, the homeland of beloved father Abraham, and that love, brotherhood and harmony may reign among Iraqis and all over the world so all may live in the longed for peace, prosperity and brotherhood. May the good Lord hear and answer our plea”. (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2006 righe 26 parole 257)