Friday is dedicated to prayer and fasting for peace in DRC and South Sudan by the Catholic Church

BUJUMBURA February 24^th (ABP) – The General Secretary office of the Conference of Burundi Catholic Bishops announced that Friday February 23, 2018 is a special day of prayer and fasting for peace.
In a statement signed on February 21^st by the secretary general of the conference, Father Lambert Niciteretse, the conference relied on the message launched by Pope Francis.
“With regard to the tragic continuation of conflict situations in various parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to a special day of prayer and fasting for peace, that of February 23^rd, Friday of the first week of Lent,” it was launched by the pope during the prayer of the Angelus of Sunday February 4, 2018.
“We will offer it especially for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan,” said the pope. The Pope’s appeal also invites non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters to join that initiative, as they see fit. “All together,” he encouraged. He continued his message by reminding that “Our Heavenly Father” is always listening to his children crying to him in pain and anguish. “He heals broken hearts and heals their wounds” (Ps 146, 3).
In addition to the invitation to prayer and fasting, the Pope invites everyone to act accordingly by asking this question “What can I do for peace? “. We can certainly pray, but not only. Everyone can say concretely “no” to violence for what depends on him or her, the pope insisted. For the victories achieved by violence are false ones, whereas working for peace is good for all, he concluded.
The Conference of Burundi Catholic Bishops invites all faithful Christians from different dioceses, parochial, priestly and religious communities, basic ecclesial communities, Catholic action movements and each individually, to unite with the Universal Church, to offer prayers to God for that Friday February 23^rd. It also invites them to fast and to take concrete action to ask for peace for the people of DR Congo and South Sudan, without forgetting to pray for Burundi so that there is a lasting peace.