PARISHES in Brisbane archdiocese are being urged to participate in a campaign of prayer for peace this week in solidarity with the people of Iraq.
The idea grew from a move by St Mary’s Parish, Oxenford to hold three days of prayer through a celebration marked by the Chaldean Rite of the Catholic Church.
Many of the Christians in Iraq are Chaldean Catholics. There are 20,000 Chaldeans in Australia.
After Oxenford parish priest, Fr Gerry Hefferan, learned that 21 days before the Eastern Lent, the Chaldeans hold three days of fasting and prayer, he decided that would be a good time for other Catholics to show support for them.
Those days this year are February 10, 11 and 12.
Fr Hefferan said this would be an important time for Chaldeans in Australia as they pray for their families and friends back in Iraq, facing the threat of war.
Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission executive officer, Peter Arndt, said there would be rolling prayer vigils, starting with the three days at Oxenford from tomorrow (Monday).
Parishes are also encouraged to participate in a rally and march on February 16.
