Coventry Litany of Reconciliation

Many people who have worshiped with us remember this litany.

This litany is based on the seven capital sins. It was written in 1959, and since that year it has been recited every Friday at noon before the Altar of Reconciliation in the sanctuary of England’s old Coventry Cathedral.

Prayers of the Community

L    All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  The hatred that divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, 

C    Father, forgive.

L    The covetous desires of people and nations to possess

      what is not their own. 

C    Father, forgive.

L    The greed which exploits the work of human hands and

      lays waste the earth. 

C    Father, forgive.

L    Our envy of the welfare and happiness of

      others,

C    Father, forgive.

L    Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the

   homeless, the refugee,

C    Father, forgive.

L    The lust which dishonors the bodies of men,

   women and children,

C    Father, forgive.

L    The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves, and not in

   God,

C    Father, forgive.

L    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

   another as God in Christ forgave you.