Interreligious Thai leaders pray for peace during crisis
May 1, 2014: Catholics and representatives of religious traditions in Thailand have
prayed for peace, in light of tensions and political unrest that have threatened the
nation's progress. “Prayer has power and plays an important role in the life of
the person; every religion acknowledges this fact and believes it with deep conviction
in their hearts,” Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok told
CNA on April 18. The Thai bishops' conference met with leaders from the nation's
Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities, unanimously urging dialogue and prayer
for a sustainable peace. Fr. Anucha Chaiyadej, secretary of social communications
for the Thai bishops, told CNA that “five religions have joined their hands together
… to find a solution of peace through prayer, because deep in the roots of their heart
they believe the existence of God.” “The Church clearly stands with prayer, penitence,
and almsgiving; and only in prayer can we achieve that which is impossible in terms
of human capacity,” he added. Archbishop Kriengsak said the religious leaders,
“worried by the present turmoil,” have converged in “seeking divine help, urging every
believer to offer special prayers in their house of worship according to their belief.” Archbishop
Kriengsak said the religious leaders had heard “the silent voice of the voiceless,”
and that all believe that “prayer can work miracles.” Archbishop Kriengsak exhorted
the country’s leaders to “resolve paths of dialogue” and to lead Thailand's developmental
projects with “equitable justice, free of corruption, and with non-violence for the
common good.”