World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer (Friday 1 March) is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

An ecumenical prayer service takes place at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, at 11:30am. The service will be livestreamed here.

This year the prayer service has been written by the Christian women of Palestine on the theme ‘I beg you to bear with one another in love’.

They ask everyone to bear with them in love and to pray for an end to all human suffering and to stand with them to achieve security and peace for all people around the world.

There are World Day of Prayer services taking place in churches of all denominations across the Archdiocese. Find out more here. For resources and more visit worlddayofprayer.net

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Thursday (18 January).

This year's theme is ‘You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself’ (Lk 10:27).

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from 18 to 25 January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul.

In choosing this passage of Scripture for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the churches of Burkina Faso invite us to join with them in a process of self-reflection as they consider what it means to love our neighbour, particularly for those who live amidst security crises.

On the eve of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis posted on Twitter: "The Word of God invites us not to close ourselves off or think that we can do it alone, but to grow together. Let us listen to each other, talk together, and support one another. #ChristianUnity

Archbishop Cushley has encouraged Catholic Parishes to host prayer events with nearby churches of other Christian denominations.

St Joseph's in Broomhouse host a prayer service on Thursday, along with St David’s (Church of Scotland) and St Salvador’s (Episcopal Church).

Title image: The Good Samaritan, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. Resources are available here. Read more about the week on Vatican News 

WATCH: Christmas message from Scottish church leaders

Archbishop Cushley is one of 10 figures who have each recited a line of a heartfelt message in a Christmas video from the Scottish Church Leaders Forum.

They decided to come together in recognition that many people are grappling with difficulties and uncertainties due to the impact of COVID-19. It is hoped that sharing the Good News about the birth of Jesus Christ will bring some comfort, hope and peace to those who are struggling.

The Scottish Church Leaders Forum was formed in March in response to the pandemic to speak on issues of mutual concern with one voice.

They are responsible for the ecumenical prayers published for every Sunday at 7pm.

WATCH: Ecumenical service for All Saints' Day

We celebrate All Saints' Day with this Ecumenical Service, featuring the Right Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and our own Archbishop Leo Cushley.

Scottish faith communities 'standing together'

More faith leaders in Scotland have committed to 'standing together' to support their communities with practical help and prayer during the coronavirus outbreak.

They joined (from left, main pic) The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, of the Church of Scotland, Archbishop Leo Cushley, Imam Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi and the Most Rev Mark Strange, of the Scottish Episcopal Church, in issuing a statement yesterday (Wednesday) emphasising the need to follow Government health advice to reduce the spread of the disease and help save lives.

They said: "We are living through unprecedented times and our local communities are finding ways of connecting and supporting each other.

"We are aware that Covid19 is beginning to effect people we know and people are anxious. It is therefore important that we all keep to the Government advice, it will help save lives.

"These are also the moments when it is so important that we, the faith communities in Scotland, stand together. We all seek the wellbeing and peace of our people and we all pray for the health and unity of our nation.

"We commit ourselves to mutual respect and to seek together those opportunities when we can offer ourselves to the service of the people and institutions of Scotland.  We are praying for you and with you, may God be with us.".

The letter is signed by leaders representing Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and other faiths. It follow's last month's letter in which they called for people to look out for the most vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak.