In their message, the religious leaders of Belgium refer to the coronavirus pandemic and how much it has affected everyone’s lives.
Specifically, in a joint statement, they emphasize that the communities can neither pray together in the Synagogues, nor in the Mosques nor in the Churches.
However, they emphasize that solidarity and the duty of prayer are always imperative. “We make an urgent appeal to everyone: let each of us pray according to his/her tradition, for the sick, the dying and for all those who help them. Let each of us pray for the other and for our country. Let us pray so that in the midst of the crisis we can discern what is important in life. Our weapons today are, more than ever, prayer and solidarity.”
They also hope that at the end of this crisis, which they hope will end quickly, people will not forget what has happened to them. “Because whoever forgets becomes more vulnerable.”
“Let us remember, once this crisis is over, that despite all our differences, we need each other. Let’s look for new forms of hospitality, brotherhood and solidarity. Religions can play an important role in this direction and in redefining our priorities. In the name of this responsibility, we, the religious leaders of the country, make this announcement.”
They also remind us that Covid-19 came to show us that “we do not control everything, we are fragile and vulnerable.”
They also report that “sometimes we try to solve the problems and challenges we face by repelling them outside of our borders, but the virus knows no bounds. God has entrusted us with the earth, which is our common home. We are responsible for each other.”
Source: Metropolis of Belgium