Easter perspective with Bishop Gregory Parkes

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Christians across the Tampa Bay area and around the world commemorate Good Friday as the most solemn day of the Christian year.  It marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago. 

This year, Pope Francis focused his Good Friday meditations of victims of human trafficking. 

Catholic Bishop Gregory Parkes, who leads Tampa Bay’s Diocese of St. Petersburg, noted the importance of remembering those who suffer at the hands of others as Christians recall the suffering of Jesus. 

Bishop Parkes sat down with FOX 13’s Craig Patrick to discuss the significance of Good Friday, why the Christian faithful commit to fasting and abstinence throughout the day, and how they can otherwise observe it. 

“It’s a day I would like for everyone to have an opportunity in their Christian faith tradition to go to a place of worship because we offer services throughout the day, usually beginning around noon and of course a very large service at three in the afternoon...Many churches have services in the evening as well,” said Bishop Parkes. 

VIDEO: Watch our interviews with Bishop Parkes at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Good Friday. He will also join Craig as a special guest Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. for perspective on Easter, in lieu of Craig’s normally scheduled ‘Money, Power & Politics’ report.