Sep 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Catholics in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore have been asked to recite a special prayer for local, state and federal politicians during October, a month traditionally designated as Respect Life Month.
"The sanctity of life is being challenged on so many fronts," said Bishop Michael Saltarelli of Wilmington. "Embryonic stem-cell research, abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty are just some of the ways life is threatened in our society.
"I ask people of good will to join in praying, in a true spirit of compassion, for all politicians and especially for those who take public anti-life positions. It is my belief that through prayer we may begin to see some substantial changes in their public positions," he said in his message to the faithful.
A special prayer card will be distributed in the diocese’s 57 parishes and 19 missions Oct. 1-2. The card features a prayer written by the bishop in 2004 and the Litany of St. Thomas More, martyr and patron of politicians and lawyers. It also has a portrait of the saint by Fr. Timothy Nolan.