US bishops ask Friday prayers to combat pornography

September 05, 2013

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is asking Catholics to pray, fast, and abstain from meat on September 6 “for those who struggle with pornography use or addiction: that through the help of Christ and wise counselors they may be freed to live a chaste life.”

The US bishops have called the faithful to fasting and prayer each Friday during the Year of Faith. This week’s proposed day of prayer and fasting comes on the eve of a separate worldwide observance, called by Pope Francis, to pray and fast on September 7 for peace in Syria.

In a reflection that accompanies the announcement of the weekly intention, the USCCB calls attention to a pastoral letter on pornography released by Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Virginia, in 2006. In that pastoral letter the bishop wrote: "In my forty years as a priest, I have seen the evil of pornography spread like a plague throughout our culture."

In December 2012, the US bishops announced a call to prayer and penance whose “overall focus is to invite Catholics to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty. Campaign components include monthly Eucharistic holy hours in cathedrals and parishes, daily family rosary, special Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses, fasting and abstinence on Fridays, and the second observance of a Fortnight for Freedom.”

The Friday prayer and fasting intentions change weekly; the links below describe how to receive the intentions in advance, typically on the afternoon of the previous day.

 

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Further information:

• Call To Prayer Friday Fast - Intentions And Reflections (USCCB)
• Call to Prayer: Pledge to Fast (USCCB)