Hong Kong (Fides Service) - Christians in Hong Kong have responded eagerly to Pope John Paul II's call for special prayers and fasting for peace tomorrow Ash Wednesday 5 March. Fides Service spoke with Italian Missionary Fr Lino Mencarini, of the PIME Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, who has worked in Hong Kong for more than 50 years. "People here are very conscious of the importance of peace. Everyone is talking about war and peace. We all know that peace is such a great gift, too big and too important to be destroyed by general indifference. Tomorrow we will be in communion with the universal Church. Everywhere in the world Catholics, joined also by other Christians, will pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to ask her to intercede to save humanity enslaved by hatred and violence". The Bishop of Hong Kong Joseph Zen, has written a pastoral letter asking all parishes, religious institutes, to hold a special day of prayer and fasting for peace, as requested by the Pope. Fr Lino says that people have responded fully and in every parish there will be special prayers: "Peace comes from God but it walks with human legs. It is our duty to safeguard this gift. We will recite the rosary and ask for the protection and help of Our Lady." PA (Fides Service 4/3/2003 EM lines 18 Words: 230)