Zagreb Archbishop, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, held the Holy Mass for victims of the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday in the parish of St Pope John XXIII in Zagreb.

The service, was part of a Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) prayer initiative.

Bishops’ Conferences throughout Europe held masses for the victims of the pandemic starting on Ash Wednesday all throughout Lent according to a set schedule, the Zagreb Archdiocese said on Monday.

The tragedy of the pandemic has awakened people to the fact that we are all in the same boat, Cardinal Bozanic said in his sermon, adding the hardship of an individual affects the entire community.

He said he was grateful to all heroes and messengers of the Christian charity.

“The pandemic and the earthquakes have made it possible for us to recognise and appreciate our brothers who have risked their lives for others,” he said, pointing out doctors, nurses, carers, cleaners, drivers, police, and other essential workers, as well as servants from rescue services and volunteers.

CCEE President Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who released a video message on the occasion of the prayer initiative, said that each European Bishops’ Conference has engaged in the organisation of at least one Mass.

“It will be like creating a prayer chain, a Eucharistic chain in memory and in suffrage of so many people. In this prayer we also want to remember the bereaved families and all those who are still suffering from the virus and whose lives remain in uncertainty,” Bagnasco said.