Santiago, Chile, Mar 4, 2010 (CNA).- Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago is urging the faithful of Chile to unite in prayer each day at 7 p.m. local time to remember the victims of the country's recent earthquake, and to thank God for the gift of life.

The prayer campaign began on March 2 at 7 p.m. when the bells of the Cathedral of Santiago rang as a sign of unity and hope in response to the tragedy Chile is experiencing because of last Saturday's earthquake.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Santiago asked all the churches within the archdiocese to ring their bells each day at 7 p.m. “to remind us that there are people in need who await our prayers and solidarity.”

Cardinal Errazuriz also encouraged the Chilean people by emphasizing the greatness of their country. “God has given us a country like very few that is beautiful and abundant in its own natural resources. We are proud to be Chileans and we have opted to continue living in our homeland.”

The cardinal also thanked God for the survivors. “After the terrible catastrophe, we thank God with all our hearts for not losing the gift of life,” he said. As long as our loved ones are alive, “the things we have lost are of little importance. If they have died, we are filled with sadness but also hope,” he concluded.