The Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania has sent a message to society calling for compliance with the measures taken by the authorities and urging for intense prayer during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Prayer is a source of spiritual power to overcome fear and disease. Cultivating the peace of the soul through persevering prayer protects us from panic and despair. It makes us aware of our double responsibility in this period: personal and communal,” the message reads.
The Council also stressed that amid pandemic it is vital to show concrete social solidarity by helping those in need, by voluntarily providing material support, that is, social assistance at home to seniors, sick or disabled people, with the authorities’ approval.
Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania calls for prayer, solidarity and responsibility during pandemic: full text
In this time of hard trial, the Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania addresses all believers with a message of encouragement, blessing and guidance.
Our first appeal is to stay in the houses, to strictly observe the measures ordered by the public authorities and to cooperate with them, also ensuring the religious services in the places of worship, but without the physical participation of the believers, having the services broadcast online.
The second instruction is for each of us to persevere at home in prayer alone or with the family, to ask the Merciful God to help us overcome this time of hard trial.
Prayer is a source of spiritual power to overcome fear and disease. Cultivating the peace of the soul through persevering prayer protects us from panic and despair and makes us aware of our dual responsibility in this period: personal and communal.
We address words of appreciation for their sacrificial work and encouragement to doctors, the entire staff in medical institutions, all those who, through their work during the pandemic, help to continue living in the most normal parameters, as well as to those who provide religious assistance to the suffering people.
We also send a message of appreciation and encouragement to the police officers, the gendarmes and the military personnel. They are all continually present in our prayers.
We appeal to the servants of religious denominations to continue their work and update their contact details and post them on the websites and digital platforms of their communities. So they can be contacted by all those who need religious counselling, encouragement or any other beneficial support.
We urge all believers to keep in touch by telephone or other means of communication with the ministers. To all those who wish to engage effectively in volunteer activities, we urge them to act organized in cooperation with local authorities, according to the recommendations of each denomination. We recommend that everyone listen to religious radio ministry broadcasts or watch religious shows on television or the Internet.
It is necessary for each of us to show wisdom in these times of trial, to intensify prayer and responsibility for personal and social health.
Also, let us show concrete social solidarity by helping those in need, by offering voluntary material help, namely social assistance at home to elderly, sick or disabled people, with the approval of the authorities.
We entreat the Compassionate God, the Physician of our souls and bodies, to bless all of us, to help us, to give us good health, peace, hope and merciful love for those in suffering, and to give eternal life to those who reposed.
May God bless Romania!
Secretariat of the Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania
Photography courtesy of Lumina Newspaper
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