Dear Friends in Christ,

I join with Pope Leo XIV in his call for peace in the Middle East: “Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”

I will offer Mass In time of War or Civil Disturbance in the Cathedral of St Michael and St John, Bathurst this evening at 5:45 pm; and have requested all our priests to do so too at a time suitable in their parishes.

Father, we lift up our prayers to you for our brothers and sisters suffering the scourge of war in many places, especially today in the Middle East: in your mercy grant us peace.

Yours in Christ,

+Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst