Denver, Colo., Oct 19, 2005 / 22:00 pm
As the Catholic priesthood--wracked with sexual scandal and debate over the nature of the vocation--faces criticism from many in both the secular and Catholic world, one Denver couple is trying to build up and encourage area priests--calling on the laity for support.
Bob and Mary Dalton, who live in a suburb south of the city, began the “Prayer for Priests” program when they realized the daunting task of guiding their flocks through the current culture.
“I don’t know exactly where the idea came from,” Bob Dalton told the Denver Catholic Register. “Mary and I just wanted to figure out a way to get more prayers said for them.”
As the program is structured, lay participants are each given the name of a priest to pray for daily and write occasional letters of encouragement.