Pope Benedict, Cardinal George Backing Mercy Congress in D.C.

November 3, 2009

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting on a mandate from Pope Benedict XVI, the first-ever North American Congress on Mercy (NACOM) will take place Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Dr. Scott Hahn, well-known Catholic author and speaker, will deliver the keynote address.

A continuation of the papal-led World Apostolic Congress on Mercy conducted in Rome in April 2008, NACOM has drawn endorsement and support from a number of high-ranking Catholic prelates, including the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Many other cardinals and bishops have affirmed and promoted NACOM, including the Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, Conn., who serves as the congress' episcopal advisor.

The congress in the nation's capital brings together Church leaders, religious, and members of the laity from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The congress will focus on the mercy of God as a source of hope and healing for all peoples of the world, regardless of religious affiliations or other qualifiers.

"Of course, we hope the congress will be a source of renewal for the Church," says NACOM President Fr. Matthew Mauriello. "But beyond that, we want to invite participants to learn about mercy as God's greatest attribute, one that has important ecumenical, inter-religious, and societal implications. The mercy, love, and goodness of God excludes no one, and we hope participants bring this message of peace and healing back to their dioceses, parishes, and into their daily lives."

A congress is a Church-approved gathering that focuses on a particular aspect of the faith: in this case, God's mercy for us and our mercy toward others. According to Pope John Paul II, who promoted the message of mercy, "Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God but that he is also called to practice mercy toward others: 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy' (Mt 5:7). The Church sees in these words a call to action."

The two-day congress will be preceded by a daylong Divine Mercy Networking Forum, hosted by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road, near the Basilica. The forum will provide participants with mentoring and networking opportunities that include a range of practical workshops and a panel discussion led by Divine Mercy experts.

For more information or to register for both events, call 1-800-462-7426 or visit mercycongress.org.

SOURCE North American Congress on Mercy