Pray for Rain says Archbishop Philip Wilson

The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson, is calling on all Australians to pray for rain as the drought continues to cause widespread devastation.

Archbishop Wilson will use the 11am Mass at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Adelaide on Sunday to heed Prime Minister John Howard’s call to pray for drought-breaking rainfall.

“Our hope is that the Lord will grant us adequate rains for our urgent needs,” he said.

“The power of prayer is very strong and we have every hope in asking for the Lord’s intervention and help at this time of great difficulty.”

Archbishop Wilson said his prayers would also be with the many people across the nation who are personally hurt by the continuing drought.

“At a time when our political leaders and climate experts are giving close attention to the economic and environmental consequences of this drought, we should remember the many people on farms and in small businesses who suffer in a deeply personal way,” he said.

“I call on all religious leaders to lead prayer on this critical issue at this difficult time.’’