While celebrating Mass at the archdiocesan cathedral on April 2nd, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City launched a massive prayer appeal for Mexico and all of Latin America.

The appeal, which will end on January 27, 2007, with a large youth pilgrimage, was called for by a group of committed lay faithful, aware that “prayer is the path to advancing a solution to the gravest problems that afflict our society.”

According to organizers of the appeal, the purpose is to pray for Mexico and for people upon whom the future of the country depends. They said that “the situation Mexico and the other Latin American countries are enduring is not easy because it constitutes a challenge not only for the work of evangelization in all areas, but also for social participation and political action.”

In referring to the serious problems facing Latin America, organizers mentioned lack of security and injustice, corruption and impunity, severe poverty and unemployment, as well as the weakening of the family and of moral values.  

“Therefore”, they said, “we have launched this appeal which above all has as its goal the personal transformation of those Mexicans, who participate, as well as the unity and motivation of those who are willing to join in the commitment.”