Praying for Madeleine McCann

Who, over the past three weeks has not offered up a quiet prayer for Madeleine McCann? And today, her parents have been granted an audience with the Pope as they seek solace and ministry over the abduction of their daughter. They have flown out on the private jet of billionaire Philip Green and their meeting will have both spiritual and media significance. Not only will they be spiritually enriched by their visit – both Kate and Gerry are devout Roman Catholics, but their encounter will also ensure that Madeleine’s face stays in the public domain, creating that chance that someone, somewhere will recognise her and offer key information that will lead to her being found. 

Its 25 days now since Mr and Mrs McCann left the three children in their holiday apartment whilst they enjoyed a meal in the complex where they were staying. The horror they must have felt when they arrived home to see her gone is beyond description as is the guilt they carry over their actions. Some things in life are beyond comfort. The McCann family needs our support and prayers and if the press reports are anything to go by they really are getting it; which all goes to show that the power of goodness still exists when evil seeks to prevail. So at least that’s one measure of hope in a very difficult situation. 

In fact we ought to campaign for an outburst of such goodness to be unleashed in the world at large – to use this awful situation to remind us to fight on behalf of the other countless thousands of children who are abducted, raped and exploited in our world everyday but don’t get the same coverage in the media. Or the 875,000 children who have died of preventable diseases in the 25 days since Madeline went missing. As Edmund Burke wrote, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” So let us good men and women unite and rise together aagainst the evil and injustice of the world and may our lives be counted amongst those who gave what they could to make our world a safer and better place.