Day of fasting and prayer

Abu Dhabi

To all People of good will in the UAE, Oman and Yemen

Dear Brother and Sisters,

Greetings of peace! 

The whole world is in a shock and anxious about the situation that has emerged in the last few weeks in the Middle East. Violence and war have yet again destroyed peace threatened innocent lives. We show our solidarity with every suffering person in Palestine and Israel, which we Christians call as Holy Land. 

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer on Friday, October 27. Holy Father Pope Francis has invited all people of every religion and those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world, to join in prayer and fasting as per their conviction and faith. We already had the day of prayer and fasting on 17th October in our Vicariate for the suffering people in the Holy Land. 

Responding to the call of the Holy Father, I invite once again all people of good will in the UAE, Oman, and Yemen, especially every Catholic faithful in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia to fast and pray on Friday 27th October for every suffering person because of the war. 

May God of Peace, bring peace and protection to every people in the Holy Land and bring this war to an end.

With prayers and blessings,

Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap
Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia

Abu Dhabi, 27 October 2023.