AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU – An ecumenical and inter-religious prayer for peace unites Christians and Muslims
Bissau (Agenzia Fides) – “We are all Guineans and we are one people; who has one God the Creator of all”. This was the focus of the ecumenical and inter-religious prayer for peace and for the good progress of the electoral process of the second round of presidential elections, on Sunday 29 December.
The moment of ecumenical and inter-religious prayer in which the religious leaders, students, teachers and people of faith committed for the good of Guinea-Bissau participated, held on 12 December in Empada, in the south of Guinea-Bissau, in the diocese of Bafatá, at the Liceo “Mons. Settimio A. Ferrazzetta”.
The Catholic community of Empada, together with the evangelical and Muslim communities, considered it appropriate to anticipate the moment of prayer for peace because the socio-political and religious situation of the country, accentuated the climate of deep tension. Tension fueled by the enormous difficulties in which the majority of the population lives with levels of extreme poverty, and by the news spread by traditional mass media and social networks that increase fears of violent social fractures.
After singing the national anthem, Fr. Augusto Mutna Tamba, parish priest of the church of Nostra Signora Consolata, welcomed everyone present and thanked all those who facilitated this important and historic day.
The religious leaders of Guinea-Bissau appealed to all the Guineans to pray for peace and national unity, essential conditions for the socio-economic development of the country. In his speech, Ustas Aladje Abubacar, Imam of the Central Mosque of Mansoa and President of the Imam Association of Guinea Bissau, praised the event held at the school Mons. Settimio A. Ferrazzetta, first Bishop of Guinea-Bissau, figure of reference for the peace and unity of the Country. The Iman urged the Guineans to follow the legacy of the great Bishop and urged the political class to refrain from violent language, complaining that they had heard too many speeches that highlighted the divisions in the Country.
His Exc. Mgr. Pedro Carlos Zilli, Bishop of Bafatá, recalled the message launched on October 31st by the religious leaders of Guinea-Bissau on the occasion of the first electoral round on November 24, underlining the final words of the message: “God bless us, bless our young democracy and preserve inner and social peace”. (CJC/AB) (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 18/12/2019)
Share:
Source link : https://fides.org/en/news/67146-AFRICA_GUINEA_BISSAU_An_ecumenical_and_inter_religious_prayer_for_peace_unites_Christians_and_Muslims
Author :
Publish date : 2019-12-18 08:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
