ASIA/INDIA - Christians observe a special National Day of fasting and prayer for the nation affected by the pandemic INDIA 2021-05-07
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - While the Catholic Church in India loses another Bishop due to Covid-19, recording the death of 65-year-old Mgr. Basil Bhuriya Bishop of Jabhua, in Madhya Pradesh (after the death of Antony Anandarayar, Archbishop Emeritus of Pondicherry-Cuddalore), Christians in India observe today, May 7, a special National Day of Fasting and Prayer to ask God for an end to the pandemic. The devastating second wave of the pandemic has greatly altered everyone s life, with millions of people struggling under the weight of a severe health and financial crisis. At this time of global pandemic, we urge Christians across the country to unite as one family to pray for a world free from Covid , reads the note released by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, and President of the Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), a
Lilaben Gautambhai Modi, 80, wearing an oxygen mask, sits inside an ambulance as she waits to enter a COVID-19 hospital for treatment, amid the spread of the disease in Ahmedabad, India, May 5, 2021. As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency. (CNS/Reuters/Amit Dave)
Vatican City As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency.
With so many in India suffering, I am writing to convey my heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness to all the Indian people, together with the assurance of my prayers that God will grant healing and consolation to everyone affected by this grave pandemic, he wrote.
The Tablet May 6, 2021
Lilaben Gautambhai Modi, 80, wearing an oxygen mask, sits inside an ambulance as she waits to enter a COVID-19 hospital for treatment, amid the spread of the disease in Ahmedabad, India, May 5, 2021. As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency. (Photo: CNS/Amit Dave, Reuters)
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency.
May 06, 2021
CWN Editor s Note: Pope Francis has sent a message to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, offering his sympathies for the people of India during a new wave of Covid deaths. “My thoughts go above all to the sick and their families, to those who care for them, and in particular to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” he wrote.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
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Indian Catholics seek divine intervention to tame pandemic
The faithful join Pope Francis in a month-long rosary recitation as Covid-19 cases pass 20 million
A man waits to refill his medical oxygen cylinder for a Covid-19 patient under home quarantine at a private refill center in New Delhi on May 4 as India s cases soared past 20 million. (Photo: AFP)
Along with Pope Francis, Catholics in India have started a month-long rosary recitation seeking divine intervention to save them from Covid-19 as the pandemic continues to kill thousands daily.
The pope launched the marathon prayer on May 1 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, urging Catholics across the world to say the rosary daily during May, the month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.