Pittsburgh bishop asks churches to open for prayer Monday before Election Day

Bishop David Zubik has asked every parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to be open all day Monday so people can pray for the United States and Tuesday's election.

“Let us pray that all people will vote in good conscience, seeking the common good and the dignity of all human persons, even when the choices before them seem neither good nor dignified. We must pray that, no matter what the results of the election, our people will work to build a civilization of love, hope and peace,” Zubik wrote in an Oct. 27 letter to all ministers.

Zubik made the same request during other election cycles, both in Pittsburgh and in his former Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The bishop is asking that churches be open for Adoration, the term for prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is especially powerful.

“Encourage your people to come before the Lord present in the Eucharist and ask for God to guide our nation and shape the consciences of its citizens. Pray for all of our political leaders, present and future, to support laws and promote programs that respect human life at every stage, promote peace among people and nations, care for God’s creation, preserve religious freedom and protect those who are the most poor and vulnerable,” Zubik wrote.

Each parish sets its own schedule for Adoration. St. Mary of Mercy, downtown, will be open for Adoration from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The diocese said people should consult other parishes regarding for their schedules.

Below is Zubik's video about voting in "good conscience" this election year:

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