By Felix Anthony
Miao, May 14, 2020: Responding to the call of Pope Francis, an interfaith prayer meet was held at Miao in Arunachal Pradesh on May 14 to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope Francis had accepted the proposal from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity to observe May 14 as a day of prayer, fasting and works of charity to pray for deliverance from the pandemic. He made the announcement on May 3 after praying the Regina Caeli from the Library of Apostolic Vatican Palace.
Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao organized the interfaith prayer meet at Christ the Light Minor Seminary with heads of various religious communities in Changlang district.
Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and leaders joined Catholic and other denominational churches at the prayer meet.
Head monk of the Buddhist Monastery at Miao, Narindra Bhikku, said that the world is fighting an invisible enemy and the prayer is the only weapon.
Pandit Ravishankar Pandey of Shiv Mandir in Miao town also echoed the same sentiment when he said God was pleased with to see people gathered as brothers and sisters.
Stephen Yobin, who represented the Church of Christ in Miao, said it is a special time given to us to stop a while and introspect our way of life before God and pray for his mercy.
Evangelist from Town Baptist Church Miao, Chomtang Chamtang also prayed at the meet. Fathers David and John Doley who represented the Catholic Church read the prayer composed by Pope Francis and sang the psalm of deliverance.
Bishop Palliparambil thanked everyone for responding to the global interfaith prayer event in a short notice and praying for deliverance from the coronavirus pandemic.
Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Panipitchai of Miao led the concluding candle light prayer where all the religious leaders made spontaneous prayer.
Similar prayer events were held across Arunachal Pradesh and all the states of northeastern India.