Bangkok (Fides Service) - "Our hearts beat close to that of the Pope even though we are physically distant, we feel we are gathered around the Holy Father. We welcome joyfully his call to pray and fast for peace. We will recite the rosary with love and devotion. Our Lady will listen to our prayer. So many times disasters have been avoided through her intercession, she will help the world in this political crisis. The Church in Thailand is deeply devoted to Our Lady, most of the churches are dedicated to her." Salesian Father Giovanni Lissandrin, who has worked in Thailand for 34 years, said this in a conversation with Fides Service, when we asked him how Catholics in Thailand are responding to Pope John Paul II's call for prayers and fasting for peace on March 5, this coming Ash Wednesday.
"Thai Catholics are responding with joy. They feel deeply responsible, they want to obey and be close to the concerns and prayers of the Holy Father. On March 5, I am sure our churches will be crowded like Christmas or Easter. In fact eastern peoples are very open to celebrations dense with symbolism such as the imposition of the ashes." A letter from the archbishop of Bangkok encouraging adhesion to the Pope's request was received with enthusiasm by every parish, the Italian missionary tells us: "During the Ash Wednesday mass the Pope's message for Lent will be read out and everyone, individuals and communities, will be encouraged to prayer all through Lent for peace in the world. Out Church in Thailand is small, but full of life!" The country has a population of 60 million, 95% Buddhist, Christians are about 1%, of these 250,000 are Catholics. PA (Fides Service 18/2/2003 EM lines 21 Words: 302)