Ukraine
“Pope [leads] worldwide consecration of Russia and Ukraine
“At St Peter's Basilica in Rome on Friday 25 March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Pope Francis [consecrated] Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary….
“In unity with the Holy Father, the Act of Consecration [was] made at the same time in Churches around the world….
“Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to take part in the consecration. He said: ‘This act of consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace.’"
With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: Vatican News/ACN/CBCEW, 24 Mar 2022
“CAFOD and CSAN release joint statement on Ukraine
“CAFOD and the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) have issued a joint statement on Ukraine and begun a joint programme of action. ’We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people,’ write the agencies….
“CSAN’s lead responsibility in the crisis is responding to refugees in England and Wales….
“CAFOD’s lead responsibility in the crisis is the situation in Ukraine and on Ukraine borders….
“To support CAFOD’s appeal for relief work in the war region, please go to cafod.org.uk/ukrainecrisis.
“To support CSAN’s work extending the Catholic Church’s responses to poverty throughout England and Wales, including for refugees, please go to csan.org.uk/donate."
With Permission, Diocese of East Anglia, Eldred Willey, 24 March 2022,
https://www.rcdea.org.uk/cafod-and-csan-release-joint-statement-on-ukraine/
“Archbishop Martin: 'The crucified Christ is down in the bunker'
“In his homily for St Patrick's Day today, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland focused on the war in Ukraine - where he said people ‘continue to celebrate Mass and the sacraments on the streets, in the bunkers and shelters, doing their best to bring to their fearful people the love and compassion of Christ.’
“He said: ‘It is heartening that there has already been such an outpouring of prayer and charity and solidarity from Ireland towards the people of Ukraine. The Gospel is calling on us to open up our hearts and our homes to refugees coming to Ireland.’
“While leaders in the Russian Orthodox Church have so far supported Putin's war - Archbishop Martin stated clearly ‘May all Christians of Europe, including Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church, unite in support of a ceasefire, humanitarian outreach and the immediate laying down of weapons.’…
“One thing which the terror in Ukraine is teaching us is that we can never take peace for granted. We must always work for peace, pray for peace and make sacrifices for peace.” [Emphasis added] …
“I'm reminded of the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, that 'war is always a defeat for humanity', and of Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti, that ‘the first casualty of war is the human family's innate vocation to fraternity’ FT26”
With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: Irish Catholic Media Office, 17 Mar 2022
“Ukrainian archbishop: women symbolise Ukraine’s strength and courage
“Women praying for peace, defending their nation, staying behind to care for loved ones, mourning loss and death, or fleeing to bring their children to safety all symbolise hope for Ukraine, said the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“The women of Ukraine are ‘a symbol of fearlessness, a symbol of victory of life over death, a symbol of the fact that Ukraine will stand even through such inhumane circumstances,’ said Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, in a video message on 17th March.
“’When we speak of our homeland, our Ukraine, which is standing, which is fighting, I see before my eyes the image of a woman. A woman as a symbol of Ukraine,’ he said in the message subtitled in English.
“News images and daily life show women who bear the burden of war, who are building and defending the future, who protect, feed and care for their loved ones, he said.
“’When we care for our people who are hiding in bomb shelters, we see first of all women. The woman is today the symbol of the strength and courage of Ukraine,’ he said, adding that it is this ‘female strength that gives Ukraine hope.’
“Archbishop Shevchuk expressed his gratitude and prayers for the women in the military, defending their homeland against ‘this great horrible and unjust aggression against Ukraine.’…
“’Who can fully comprehend the pain of a woman, a mother, who mourns the death of her son killed in war? Or a woman who has lost her husband, brother or sister? But most of all we are amazed by women who stand in prayer before God,’ praying for their city and their country, he said.
“In preparation for Pope Francis consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on 25th March, the archbishop said Ukrainian Catholics continue to pray to the Mother of God, and ‘we would like to dedicate women and the women of Ukraine’ to her protection.”
With Permission Universe Catholic Weekly, 17 Mar 2022
“Pope: ‘Rivers of blood’ flowing in Ukraine and Vatican ready to help
“Pope Francis said the Vatican ‘is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace’ in Ukraine. ‘Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine,’ the pope said on 6th March as he led thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in praying for peace after reciting the Angelus.
“Pope Francis said he was sending two cardinals to Ukraine…
“’The presence of the two cardinals there is the presence not only of the pope, but of all the Christian people who want to get closer and say: “War is madness! Stop, please! Look at this cruelty!”’ the pope said….
“Pope Francis again praised the nations, charitable organisations and individuals helping the refugees. The need for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, “that tormented country, is growing dramatically by the hour,” the pope said.
“’I make a heartfelt appeal for humanitarian corridors to be genuinely secured, and for aid access to the besieged areas to be guaranteed and facilitated in order to provide vital relief to our brothers and sisters oppressed by bombs and fear,’ Pope Francis added….
“’Above all, I plead for an end to armed attacks, for negotiations to prevail — and for common sense to prevail — and for a return to respect for international law,’ Pope Francis said.
“He also thanked the journalists ‘who put their lives at risk to provide information. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for this service, a service that allows us to be close to the tragedy of that population and helps us assess the cruelty of a war.’”
With Permission Universe Catholic Weekly, 7 March 2022
Pope calls for day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine
“’I invite everyone to make 2nd March, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace,’ he said. ‘I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace protect the world from the folly of war.’”
With Permission, Universe Catholic Weekly, 23rd Feb 2022
https://universecatholicweekly.co.uk/ukraine-prayer/
“Cardinal Nichols' statement on Ukraine crisis
“Cardinal Vincent Nichols has called for an immediate cessation of the Russian attacks in Ukraine and for the protection of innocent civilians.
“The Cardinal says in a statement: ‘I appeal for all to pray for the people of Ukraine, who are suffering the brunt of this conflict. I pray for their strength and perseverance under this onslaught.
"’The international community must unite in seeking an end to this conflict through peaceful means, including dialogue and negotiation, as the only way forward. It is their responsibility to ensure that international law and territorial sovereignty are respected. We must also keep in mind the plight of those who will become refugees as a result of this attack and the humanitarian crisis that will inevitably follow.
"’In this precarious moment for the people of Ukraine and further across Europe, I pray for the victims of this conflict and their families. I will be celebrating Mass in the Cathedral at 1000 on Sunday for these intentions.’"
With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: CCN, 24th Feb 2022
“ACN rushes emergency aid to Ukraine
“…With project partners reporting a deepening catastrophe, the charity has rushed through plans to send €1 million (more than £830,000) to help the Church in Ukraine as it ministers to a country invaded by Russian troops….
“The emergency aid will meet the essential needs - including heating, lighting, water and food - of the diocese's 57 priests as well as the 54 members of religious communities….”
With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: ACN, 24th Feb 2022
Lenten Alms
In the light of what is happening in the Ukraine, Aid to the Church in Need is appealing for donations to assist the people of Ukraine and the massive number of refugees. The funds will go directly to the Church in Ukraine and not into the general fund as is normally the case. Please give by using the card machines and selecting the “Lenten Alms” button or by clicking the Dona link on our website and use the ‘Lenten Alms’ button
Ukraine Appeal
CAFOD also has an emergency appeal for Ukraine. https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ukraine-crisis
CAFOD is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – so can benefit from the match funding announced by the Prime Minister this week, for every £1 given to CAFOD the government will give £1 to the DEC.
And remember if you are you are a UK taxpayer you can Gift Aid your donation, which means that CAFOD get an extra 25p from the Government for every pound you donate. You can also give on the CAFOD website.
“Cardinal joins peace prayers for Ukraine
“Cardinal Vincent Nichols joined his brother bishops from the London area, alongside the Papal Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, for a short service of prayer at London's Ukrainian Cathedral to pray for peace in Ukraine.
“Days earlier, Pope Francis had called for a day of prayer on Wednesday 26 January. This resulted in a live-streamed 12-hour marathon of prayer throughout the world in every archeparchy and eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.”
With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: CBCEW, 28 January 2022