Pozzuoli, the bishop's prayer for the Campi Flegrei: 'God sustain us'

"As believers in Christ we feel we can ask the Lord to support us in this time of trial where everything seems precarious."

It is the prayer of the bishop of Pozzuoli, Don Carlo Villano, who sent a letter to the inhabitants of the Phlegraean territory, "to express our personal sympathy during this difficult time due to the ongoing seismic activity, while also ensuring the support of all parishes, whose doors are open to listen and support everyone."

"Dear brothers and sisters of our beloved Phlegraean land," the bishop wrote, "in these very special days, I feel the need to share with you what is dear to me for the times we are living in.

For several days now, we have been witnessing the intensification of these bradyseism-related tremors in an area like ours, so rich in history, culture, and beauty, yet equally fragile and a source of fear and insecurity for those who live there.

I understand your state of mind, the fear and uncertainty about the present and future of your children: to all of you I want to express my personal closeness and that of the entire Church of Pozzuoli with its pastors."

"Let's hear - he adds in the letter - to stand beside you, sharing your same anxieties and concerns; let us seize these events as an opportunity to hold hands, to support one another, to instill mutual courage; together we can do this, together we can best face this time that is profoundly affecting our lives, our days.

Dearest sisters and brothers, the Church of Pozzuoli lives and journeys alongside you; we share your anxieties and difficulties. The parish priests of our Church will hear your cry of pain and support you in your daily difficulties; we are all called to be witnesses of closeness, we are all called to be experts in humanity.

We feel, in this time so strongly characterized by the word Synod, that we must say that no one will be left alone. The doors of our Churches are open to tell everyone that the Church is the home of all and for all: everyone feels welcomed, listened to and accompanied.

As believers in Christ we feel we can ask the Lord to support us in this time of trial where everything seems to be precarious: in the hope that these shocks will be short-lived and we can return to live more serene days in our common home. To all - concludes Don Carlo Villano - I assure my personal closeness to the entire Church of Pozzuoli".