First, I'll post the Archbishop's statement and follow it up with the text from the legislature.
Archbishop Aymond expresses gratitude to legislators, calls on Catholics to pray during the Day of Prayer for the oil spill
A statement from Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Diocese of New Orleans
We thank the legislators for declaring Sunday a Day of Prayer. This is a public sign of our humble dependence upon God.
Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were killed in the explosion. Likewise we offer prayerful consolation to their families and friends.
The oil spill has very challenging affects on many people in our community, especially the fishing industry, oil industry and related works. We also need to be attentive to the impact on our environment and economy.
We ask God to reassure us and to walk with us in this very challenging time. We pray that:
- we may not lose hope,
- we will persevere in tough times,
- we will see God’s compassion and love in these trying circumstances,
- God will lead scientists and engineers to a permanent solution soon,
- we will bear this cross with trust,
- we will reach out in prayer and with financial resources to those whose livelihood and family life have been affected.
The Catholic Church through Catholic Charities will continue to be present to those affected by offering food, counseling and other emergency services now and in the long-term.
God never abandons us but walks with us during this challenging time in the history of our state and nation.
From the Louisiana State Legislature:
Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145
BY SENATORS ADLEY, LONG, NEVERS, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, CHABERT, CHAISSON, CHEEK, CLAITOR, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY, DUPLESSIS, ERDEY, B. GAUTREAUX, N. GAUTREAUX, GUILLORY, HEBERT, HEITMEIER, JACKSON, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, MARIONNEAUX,MARTINY, MCPHERSON, MICHOT, MORRELL, MORRISH, MOUNT, MURRAY, PETERSON, QUINN, RISER, SHAW, SMITH, THOMPSON AND WALSWORTH
A RESOLUTION
To recognize and declare Sunday, June 20, 2010, as a Statewide Day of Prayer for Louisiana and for the population and region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, in particular those people affected by the environmental and economic disasters that erupted in the aftermath of BP Deepwater Horizon oil leak.
WHEREAS, in times of great distress and need, we, the people of this land, have always turned to private, public, and corporate prayer; and
WHEREAS, a Statewide Day of Prayer provides each of us with a powerful opportunity to humble ourselves before our Almighty God; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Louisiana are urged to pray for a solution to this crisis, each according to his or her own faith, to pray for God's continued guidance and protection, and to join in the observance of a day of prayer, seeking God's blessings upon both our state and nation; and
WHEREAS, although there exists a great diversity of types of prayer, prayer is always about calling upon God, and prayers woven together through common effort can themselves become an awesome and powerful force; and
WHEREAS, a day of unified, intercessory prayer, by and for those people living throughout the regions around the Gulf of Mexico, to pray for an end to this environmental emergency, sparing us all from the destruction of both culture and livelihood; and
WHEREAS, untold millions of people, not only in regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, but throughout the world, will be affected by this event; a crisis that remains unaffected by the efforts of mortal man; and
WHEREAS, we now turn our attention and our prayers to the present circumstances and humble ourselves before Almighty God.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Sunday, June 20, 2010, as a Statewide Day of Prayer for Louisiana and for the population and region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge the citizenry of the state and all people of faith throughout the United States and the world to give personal thanks, each according to his faith, for the blessings we have received, for God's continued guidance during these trying times, and for God's grace to bring an end to the devastation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of Legislature of Louisiana calls upon the people of Louisiana to join each other and the entire community that is linked by the Gulf of Mexico in this unified expression of faith and hope.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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