Event features Congressman Chris Smith, Presidential Candidate Alan Keyes, Rev. Clement Machado of the Vatican, and others

Contact: Maureen Flynn, Coalition Chairperson, International Week of Prayer and Fasting Coalition, 703-707-0799, IWPF2007@aol.com  

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- the International Week of Prayer & Fasting Coalition has seen a huge expansion of its original mission and continued growth.   Originally established to promote a "culture of life" around the world, this coalition has witnessed a transformation of sorts since it began.

Coalition Chairperson Maureen Flynn says the expansion of the group's mission is ongoing.   "This is actually a coalition, a grassroots effort of groups from all over the world that we have been working with for over 15 years, "she notes, "and as we have approached more problems in the world, especially with terrorism and the decline of the culture of life, this grassroots movement has grown."

Flynn says the International Coalition organizes prayers for world peace, works to promote culture of life issues and sets up "prayer cells" to counter global terrorism.   "The more we have these terrorist cells all around the country, all around the world," she explains, "the more we need to counteract with prayer groups.   We call it the Prayer Network of Counter-terrorism."

In the past 34 years, we have allowed another form of terrorism, the killing of the innocent unborn child. There are 1.3 million abortions a year in the United States!  Globally, we have allowed child sacrifice.   In the Old Testament the ultimate sin that brought about judgment on nations was the sin of child sacrifice.  As Blessed Teresa of Calcutta has said we must fight abortion with adoption.   She has also said, "the poorest of the poor is the unborn child."

This International Coalition is coordinating the 15th Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting and its mission is to promote a Culture of Life which includes three national events in Washington, D.C.  The goals of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting are: the conversion of nations, an end to abortion and to build a culture of life.  The Coalition is asking for people to participate as individuals, families and parishes by organizing and offering the following:   fasting, daily Masses and prayer to include: Holy Hours, Rosaries, Divine Mercy Chaplets and Confession.

Saturday, October 6th  -  Youth and Young Adult Festival in preparation for World Youth Day 2008 at Catholic University of America, Pryzbyla Center, Washington, DC. Speakers include: Bishop Sam Jacobs, Ryan O'Hara of Youth Arise, Jason Evert - Chastity Speaker and others.

Sunday, October 7th - Culture of Life Awards Banquet, Georgetown University Conference Center with 2008 Presidential Candidate Dr. Alan Keyes - Keynote Speaker, Raymond Arroyo - EWTN, Congressman Chris Smith and Eduardo Verastegui - star of the new movie BELLA.

Monday, October  8th - Eucharistic Prayer Day at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (9am-5pm) with Rev. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, Rev. Clement Machado of the Vatican, Bobby Schindler (Terri Schiavo's brother) and several other speakers.