Prayer for Balkans slated

The service, sponsored by the diocesan Commission on Peace and Justice, will be held on June 8 at 7:30 p.m.

"The media portray the average American as uninterested in the war in Yugoslavia," said Barbara DiTommaso, director of the Commission, "but it seems that people are perplexed, not sure what is the best course of action, the one involving the least suffering, as well as holding the greatest chances of coexistence and reconciliation for Serbs and ethnic Albanians in the future."

There will be no bias to the prayer service, she added, saying: "We're not taking one political side. We'll leave it up to God."

Christians, Jews and Muslims have all been invited to participate in the service. Having a diverse group join in prayer can have a powerful affect on the war. Ms. DiTommaso said.

"Just coming together -- that's God's will," she explained. "In a mysterious way that we don't understand, that's a step towards peace there.

"When people come together face to face, they see they have more in common," she said. "We can treat each other with respect and be in awe of the ways God comes to people."

(The Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. For more information, call the Commission on Peace and Justice at 453-6695.)

(06-03-99) [[In-content Ad]]