Bishop of Sivagangi Calls for Special Prayer for World Peace

Sivagangi, March 5, 2026: Amid escalating conflicts in different parts of the world, Bishop Lourdu Anandam has called on the faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sivagangi to unite in prayer for global peace and an immediate end to wars.

In a circular issued on March 3 and addressed to clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the diocese, the bishop urged believers to respond spiritually to the growing tensions and violence affecting several regions worldwide.

The message highlighted the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Crimea, and called on the faithful to pray that world leaders may discern between good and evil and be guided by the Holy Spirit in working toward peace.

Echoing the appeal of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Lourdu Anandam encouraged parish priests to keep churches open so that the faithful may gather for prayer. He also urged families and parish communities to recite the Holy Rosary and spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Referring to the appeal of the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council, the circular also invited prayers for an immediate cessation of conflicts, particularly in the Middle Eastern and Gulf regions.

As part of the prayer initiative, the faithful have been encouraged to recite the Our Father and the Hail Mary three times each, invoking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the earth. The bishop also shared a model prayer for peace, invoking the Holy Trinity, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Saint Michael the Archangel to intercede for humanity and restrain the forces of evil.

Bishop Lourdu Anandam further requested parish priests to observe a day of fasting and prayer on March 6 for the intention of peace. He also directed that all Masses on Sunday, March 8, be offered for world peace, with the intention included in the Prayers of the Faithful.

The bishop also advised that families needing assistance concerning the safety of members working in Gulf countries may contact the Sivagangai Multipurpose Social Service Society, the diocese’s social service wing.

Entrusting the troubled world to God’s care, Bishop Lourdu Anandam expressed hope that faith communities will continue to seek divine intervention for peace among nations.

“May Jesus, the Light of the World who brought peace to the earth, dispel the darkness of war clouds and grant harmony to the entire world,” he said.

By Abhishek Raja