As the world marks the 60th anniversary of Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) by Pope John XXIII, the first papal encyclical intended for a universal, interfaith, and nonbelieving audience, we pause to pray for the intentions of this letter and world causes that still demand our attention:
Every human being has the right to freedom of movement and of residence within the confines of his own country; and, when there are just reasons for it, the right to emigrate to other countries and take up residence there….
In thanksgiving for the efforts and financial supporters of organizations like the UNHCR, which raised $1.5 billion in a one-day event earlier this month to fund life-saving relief efforts in Sudan and the surrounding region.
Indeed, the best interests of justice are served by those public authorities who do all they can to improve the human conditions of the members of these minority groups, especially in what concerns their language, culture, ancient traditions, and their economic activity and enterprise.
In thanksgiving for the 41 world partners, including the World Uyghur Congress and Uyghur Human Rights Project, who wrote to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken earlier this month before his trip to China, requesting that the US follow through on its naming of the repressing of Uyghur minorities as “genocide and crimes against humanity.”
The deep feelings of paternal love for all mankind which God has implanted in Our heart makes it impossible for Us to view without bitter anguish of spirit the plight of those who for political reasons have been exiled from their own homelands. There are great numbers of such refugees at the present time, and many are the sufferings—the incredible sufferings—to which they are constantly exposed.
In thanksgiving for those fighting for the rights of over 220 political prisoners deported by Nicaragua earlier this year, including leaders of the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, who provided an international stage and award for Nicaraguan political dissident Felix Maradiaga last month.
In the spirit of Pacem in Terris, we pray for our brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who celebrate their nation’s 63rd anniversary on June 30:
Please, Lord, give the people the hope and reason to live for tomorrow instead of surviving for today. Lord, give them your strength and comfort for the challenges of today. Finally, Lord, give them your everlasting peace for tomorrow and forever. And help us be the instruments of your peace in our communities as we pray and work in solidarity with the people of the Congo. (adapted by a prayer by James Diderich, a missionary and teacher in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
hi i am from India.
prayer was excellent.
i would like to request the present situation of one of the Indian state call Manipur.
kindly study the present Manipur’s violence.