Wilmington, DE — In response to an invitation from Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to pray for peace in our nation and communities, the Most Reverend William E. Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington, and the priests of the Diocese of Wilmington gathered on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during their Presbyteral Retreat, to offer a Holy Hour for Peace and have scheduled Holy Hours for Peace in each of the Deaneries in the coming weeks.
This national invitation to pray for peace follows the USCCB’s Special Pastoral Message on Immigration issued in November 2025, in which the bishops of the United States affirmed their concern for immigrants suffering in a “climate of fear and anxiety,” urged respect for the fundamental dignity of all persons, and called for meaningful reform of immigration laws and humane treatment of those seeking a better life in this country.
On the Holy Hours for Peace effort Bishop Koenig said, “In this moment of tension and uncertainty, we turn to Christ — the Prince of Peace — asking that our hearts and our nation be renewed. Our prayer for peace flows from the hope we have in Christ to guide us in recognizing the inherent dignity of every person as we work to build a society that respects life at every stage and circumstance.”
The Holy Hours for Peace are opportunities for parishioners and all people of goodwill to join in prayer for peace, unity, and the recognition of human dignity throughout our nation.
- City Deanery: Friday, February 13, 11:00 a.m.
Cathedral of Saint Peter, Wilmington, DE
Most Rev. William E. Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington, presiding
- Brandywine Hundred Deanery: Thursday, February 19, 4:00 p.m.
Saint Helena, Wilmington, DE
- Central New Castle Deanery: Monday, March 2, 5:00 p.m.
Saint Mary of the Assumption, Hockessin, DE
- Eastern Shore Deanery: Tuesday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.
Saints Peter and Paul, Easton, MD
- Iron Hill Deanery: Monday, February 16, 6:00 p.m.
Saint Margaret of Scotland, Glasgow, DE
- Ocean Deanery: Friday, February 13, 9:30 a.m.
Saint John Neumann, Berlin, MD
- Silver Lake Deanery: Friday, February 20, 3:00 p.m.
Holy Cross, Dover, DE
About the Diocese of Wilmington:
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was established in 1868 and comprises 54 parishes, 20 missions and 29 schools serving the State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Information about the diocese is available at www.cdow.org.
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Media Contact:
Hannah R. Dell
hdell@cdow.org
302-573-3116
