Franciscan Day of Prayer and Fasting
WHEATON—The first few years after the end of World War II saw a new dream rising out of the dust and debris of bombed out buildings and remains of shattered lives. And in 1948, on the heels of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the establishment of the nation of Israel and the debut of the World Health Organization, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was penned by the General Assembly of the United Nations. On Dec. 10, 1948, the 60th anniversary of this global commitment to human rights is once again given the spotlight. Franciscan International has designated the date as a Franciscan Day of Prayer in Fasting. This spiritual endeavor is intended as a way to join in solidarity with victims of human rights abuse around the world.
Social justice advocates from Franciscan International New York addressed in a statement the continuing need to apply moral and ethical decisions in the promotion of dignity and sustainable development. As the new Obama administration prepares to tackle the economic crisis, the FINY Team noted how human dignity is both a tangible and intangible commodity—it crosses all borders.
The statement led with the notion of respect: “Be in Solidarity with Our Sisters and Brothers…In the DR Congo; Palestine and Israel; India and wherever people are suffering violence. Let us use “The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” and/or “The Canticle of Creatures” to unite our voices in a cry for world peace with universal justice and respect, for all of God’s creatures.”
Elias Mallon, SA, FINY Team coordinator, and Kathie Uhler OSF Advocacy Officer for the FI Team at the NY office, have urged all people to join in solidarity with Franciscans around the world in this special commemoration. For more information go to the FI Web site at www.Franciscansinternational.org or the United Nations’ Web site at http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/udhr60/Speaking of the human rights declaration, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon stated, “It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality—that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the declaration exists—and that it exists for them.”