US Bishops President Calls for Holy Hour for Peace Amid Climate of Fear
The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has called on Catholics across the country to unite in prayer through a Holy Hour for peace, describing it as a necessary response to a climate marked by fear, polarization, and disregard for human dignity. In a statement issued on January 28, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City said the current social atmosphere falls short of the Gospel standard and risks deepening division within communities. He emphasized that prayer is not an escape from reality but a vital act of renewal for hearts and for the nation. The invitation comes amid heightened domestic and international tensions and follows a series of violent incidents linked to immigration enforcement that have drawn widespread concern among Church leaders and faith based communities.
Archbishop Coakley referred to the recent deaths of three individuals in separate incidents involving immigration authorities, describing them as tragic examples of a broader failure to respect the dignity of every human life. He said these cases highlight indifference and injustice that demand moral reflection and action. The archbishop noted that many people feel powerless in the face of violence, unrest, and systemic injustice, but insisted that faithfulness, prayer, and works of mercy retain lasting value. He encouraged Catholics not to underestimate the spiritual and social impact of everyday acts of compassion, stressing that love expressed through service remains a powerful force for healing even in moments of deep uncertainty.
The call for a Holy Hour builds on previous statements issued by the bishops addressing immigration and social cohesion. During their annual meeting last November, the bishops urged an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence affecting both immigrants and those charged with enforcing the law. In his latest message, Archbishop Coakley reaffirmed that respect for law must be accompanied by commitment to mercy, justice, and peaceful civic engagement. He highlighted charitable actions such as feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, visiting the imprisoned, and caring for the sick as tangible signs of hope that foster peace more effectively than anger or despair. Such actions, he said, are expressions of faith that shape a more just society.
Archbishop Coakley invited bishops and priests throughout the United States to host Holy Hours for peace in the coming days, encouraging participation in parishes, chapels, or personal prayer. He called on the faithful to pray for reconciliation where division prevails, justice where rights are violated, and consolation for those overwhelmed by fear or loss. Entrusting the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he asked that this shared moment of prayer become an opportunity for spiritual renewal and moral recommitment. The archbishop concluded by urging Catholics to become instruments of peace and witnesses to the inherent dignity of every person, especially in times when that dignity is most at risk.
