NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      PHILADELPHIA, 20 (NE) As the weekly publication of the archdiocese informed some days ago, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia has requested all archdiocesan parishes to pray for the peace in the Balkans, as well as carry out an emergency special collection, "due to the great need for food and medical supplies" of the refugees.

      "Mindful of the sufferings of those forced from their homes," the Cardinal writes in his letter, "and those who find themselves in harm's way during this crisis (…) I encourage each parish to schedule an evening of prayer for peace, that this conflict may be resolved swiftly and peacefully." He also requested that the collection be carried out as soon as possible "on any weekend prior to May 10."

      Meanwhile, in Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico City presided at a Mass to inaugurate the "National Week of prayer against violence" last Sunday. Under the motto "Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good," this initiative aims to put all the country's efforts for peace and reconciliation in God's hands and generate a greater social conscience of the necessity of facing these problems.

      The president of the organization "Mexico United against Delinquency," -one of the promoters of the campaign- affirmed that Mexico is one of the countries with the highest rate in homicides, and that only last year more than a thousand hijackings occurred. "We made this campaign -he explained- because we figured out either we appealed to God, or we won't be able to handle so much impunity, injustice and organized crime."

      Every day will have a specific intention: Monday, prayers for the victims and their families; on Tuesday, for police, public ministries and other civil authorities; on Wednesday, for the imprisoned, especially those punished wrongly. On Thursday, for the protection of Mexican families; on Friday, for those who suffer because of violence and injustice; on Saturday, for the conversion of criminals and of all Mexicans, and on Sunday, for the participation of citizens in favor of this cause. Bishops also invited faithful and non-believers to fast next Friday and help out other people through charity, offering their intentions for peace in the country.