As the US Congress prepares to debate the proposal for a military attack on Syria, Catholics in Trinidad and Tobago will, on Saturday (Sept 7), unite with Catholics all over the world in a day of prayer and fasting “for peace in Syria, the Middle East and throughout the world”.

Archbishop Joseph Harris, on Tuesday, asked Catholics to heed the call made by Pope Francis last Sunday at the Vatican. For adult Catholics in good health, a day of fast usually entails eating only one full meal, allowing for two smaller meals in the course of the day.

The Pope invited everyone, “including our non-Catholic Christian brothers, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.” On Saturday evening, Pope Francis will lead a prayer vigil for peace in St Peter’s Square. He has condemned the use of chemical weapons “with utmost firmness”, but has insisted “never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.”

Editors see also: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1303750.htm