Prayer Chain and Fund-raising Drive Linked to Papal Trips

ZAGREB, Croatia, MAY 27, 2003 (Zenit.org).- A prayer chain and fund-raising campaign have been launched for the occasion of John Paul II's 100th and 101st international apostolic trips.

Those two trips will take the Pope to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. On Friday, the secretariat of the Croatian bishops' conference announced that Croatian Caritas, Croatian Catholic Radio, and the Radio Maria Association are planning the prayer chain and fund campaign, called «Pope-Ecumenism-Tolerance.»

It will include five weeks of unbroken prayer for the success of the Pope's visits. It will also be five weeks of fund raising for the most needy in the two countries, regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, or religious affiliation, the Catholic agency Croata Ika reported.

The prayer chain began at noon Sunday and will continue until noon June 29. Vigil participants include individuals and associations. Families or individuals can register for a time slot for a half-hour of prayer.

Radio Maria and Croatian Catholic Radio have set up the prayer chain schedule.

ZENIT Daily dispatch - The World Seen from Rome
27. mai 2003