The Diocese of Liverpool is honoured that our mother church, the Liverpool Cathedral is playing a central role in a global moment of reflection and unity with the United Nations.
Today, Liverpool Cathedral will mark the first-ever UN-sponsored International Day of Hope and all are warmly invited to take part.
This international day highlights the United Nations’ Global Goals: 17 commitments to creating a fairer, more sustainable world by addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality with a focus this year on climate, culture, and community.
While events are taking place in London, New York, and Johannesburg, Liverpool is the only non-capital city invited to participate. With Hope Street at the heart of this global day, we’re proud that our mother church will stand as a symbol of hope for our city, our nation, and the world.
Visitors can pause, reflect, and share their personal messages of hope at a Prayer Station inside the Cathedral, with postcards available along Hope Street for all who wish to write and share what hope means to them.
Bishop Ruth has issued the following prayer to mark the significant event:
God of hope,
We thank you for the good news of your generous love and the hope it offers the whole world, that no one is ever beyond your care and forgiveness.
On this United Nations Day of Hope, we ask that you will give each of us the vision to see what is possible to make the world a place of welcome, safety and opportunity for us all.
We pray for the courage and commitment to play our part in creating a city of peace, which has the well-being of all at its heart. Make us advocates for one another, paying attention to the last, the least and the lost.
And we ask that you will help us never to lose sight of the hope that you have in us, people made in your image and called to reflect your love and hope.
Amen.
