Church organizes interreligious prayer for Haiti

NEW DELHI, Jan. 22, 2010, 11.00 Hrs (UCAN):

People from various religions attended a prayer service Delhi archdiocese organized on Jan. 19 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

“We can’t be there physically with them during this time of major tragedy, we can only pray for a better situation,” Father Dominic Emmanuel, the archdiocesan spokesperson, told UCA News.

An estimated 70,000 bodies have been buried in mass graves in Haiti, the Haiti government has announced.

It is feared the death toll could reach 200,000, but aid groups have warned that if more medical supplies do not arrive soon, thousands more would die from their injuries.

The American Red Cross estimates that the earthquake may have affected about 3 million people in total.

Father Emmanuel said the Indian government, NGOs and others have done their part of sending relief to the devastated Caribbean nation. “By praying together we want to let the world know that we are with the people of Haiti.”

The Divine Word priest says the Indian capital has a forum comprising people from various religions that prays and shares joys and sorrows. It meets especially on major festivals of various religions.

Leaders from Hindu, Jain and Sikh religions attended the service held in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.