Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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Tens of thousands have taken part in a controversial prayer day in Poland.
Catholics were encouraged to go to designated points along the country's borders for a mass rosary prayer for the salvation of Poland and the world.
Church leaders say the event is purely religious, but there are concerns it could be seen as endorsing the state's refusal to let in Muslim migrants.
The feast day marks the anniversary of a Christian victory over Ottoman Turks at the sea battle of Lepanto in 1571.
People were bussed in from more than 300 churches to points all along the border.
They stood in lines, some on beaches on the Baltic Sea, some in fields and some in towns.
"We come to the border of Poland to pray for the Poles and for the whole world," said one woman.
We want our Catholic faith to continue, to keep our children safe, that our brothers from other countries can understand that our faith is unwavering and that we feel safer, not only in Poland but also in the world."
Mateusz Maranowski, a Polish radio journalist, said he had come out to thank the Virgin Mary for his child, who was born prematurely.
He said about 300 people took part in the event in the sea port of Gdynia.
"At first I wanted to pray alone on the beach but it turned out that many people from nearby parishes came out to the beach to take part in the... event," he said.
'Encompass the world'
Halina Kotarska, 65, said she was expressing thanks for the survival of her son in a car crash, but also praying for the survival of Christianity in Europe.
"Islam wants to destroy Europe," she said, quoted by the Associated Press. "They want to turn us away from Christianity."
Poland holds controversial prayer day
It's a bit odd but when 80% of your country is Catholic and you want to stand at the borders and pray then do you need a reason?
Shucks, anyone can go to our borders and pray or not pray. Whatever.......
Catholics were encouraged to go to designated points along the country's borders for a mass rosary prayer for the salvation of Poland and the world.
Church leaders say the event is purely religious, but there are concerns it could be seen as endorsing the state's refusal to let in Muslim migrants.
The feast day marks the anniversary of a Christian victory over Ottoman Turks at the sea battle of Lepanto in 1571.
People were bussed in from more than 300 churches to points all along the border.
They stood in lines, some on beaches on the Baltic Sea, some in fields and some in towns.
"We come to the border of Poland to pray for the Poles and for the whole world," said one woman.
We want our Catholic faith to continue, to keep our children safe, that our brothers from other countries can understand that our faith is unwavering and that we feel safer, not only in Poland but also in the world."
Mateusz Maranowski, a Polish radio journalist, said he had come out to thank the Virgin Mary for his child, who was born prematurely.
He said about 300 people took part in the event in the sea port of Gdynia.
"At first I wanted to pray alone on the beach but it turned out that many people from nearby parishes came out to the beach to take part in the... event," he said.
'Encompass the world'
Halina Kotarska, 65, said she was expressing thanks for the survival of her son in a car crash, but also praying for the survival of Christianity in Europe.
"Islam wants to destroy Europe," she said, quoted by the Associated Press. "They want to turn us away from Christianity."
Poland holds controversial prayer day
It's a bit odd but when 80% of your country is Catholic and you want to stand at the borders and pray then do you need a reason?
Shucks, anyone can go to our borders and pray or not pray. Whatever.......
