Ukraine news
The United Nations says 10 million people have fled their homes in the war in Ukraine, about a quarter of the population. Up to 900 civilians have been killed and 1,450 injured.
Pope Francis says war in Ukraine is senseless massacre
Pope Francis has called the war in Ukraine a senseless massacre, an act of violent aggression, an abhorrent war, cruel inhuman sacrilegious without justification. In the Sunday Angelus address, he appealed for an end to the violence and long-term welcome of Ukrainian refugees. Also this weekend, the Pope visited a children’s hospital in Rome which is treating 19 Ukrainian children who have fled the war and are receiving treatment, with some in the oncology and neurology departments and others wounded.
Cathedral bells in England and Lviv ring in solidarity with the people of Ukraine
The cathedral bells of St Paul’s in London and Durham rang out at the same time as church bells in Lviv — 4pm Sunday afternoon — to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The Dean of St Paul’s, David Ison, said he hoped the people of Ukraine would “see the recording of the bell ringing in London and find comfort in this act of solidarity”. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London, said the combined ringing would be of great comfort to the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, giving people hope.
Scattered Jewish community in southern Ukraine
The Jewish communities in the south of Ukraine have been describing the violence and turmoil. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Cohen, once based in Mariupol, told the Jewish News of the total destruction and mass exodus from the city which was once home to 16,000 Jews. Some were sheltering in the city’s theatre which was shelled and where people are believed to be still trapped. And in Odesa, Rabbi Avraham Wolf appealed for help as the Jewish community absorbs Jews fleeing from Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Dnieper, while fearing a Russian bombardment.
The Associated Press reports on the efforts of an American lawyer to find Holocaust survivors in Ukraine and help them escape. Julia Entin, grandaughter of a Ukrainian Holocaust survivor said she wanted to help as they are experiencing that trauma all over again.
Other news
Church leaders condemn P & O’s decision to sack 800 workers
In a joint statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Dover have condemned P & O’s decision to sack 800 workers without warning, as “inhumane and unethical”. Justin Welby said the announcement was “cynically timed for a moment when the world’s attention was on Ukraine” and P & O “treated human beings as a commodity of no basic value or dignity”.
Vatican opens top jobs to women
The Vatican is proposing a new constitution that will allow any baptised Roman Catholic, including women, to be appointed head of a department. Until now, those positions were reserved for a cardinal or bishop. The changes are a result of nine years of deliberation under the guidance of Pope Francis and involving churches around the world.
Antivaxer Mother General of Tyburn convent reported to the Vatican
Mother General Marilla, who runs the Tyburn Convent opposite Hyde Park, has been reported to the Vatican for encouraging nuns to refuse the Covid19 vaccination, The Sunday Times reports. The report says they complained and the diocese of Westminster has referred the matter to the Vatican, but she has denied bullying and said she gave the nuns free choice.
Cathedrals urge the public to return as visitors after the Covid pandemic
Cathedral deans are urging the public to continue to support their activities after latest figures show a 57 per cent drop in visitors in 2021. The previous year there was a 64 per cent drop in worshippers mainly because of the pandemic. The deans say in recent weeks, cathedrals have become the focus of prayer vigils and community gatherings following the invasion of Ukraine, with many being lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. And on 23 March, services and events will mark two years since the first Covid lockdown.
Hillsong leader Brian Houston investigated for inappropriate actions
Brian Houston, the global leader of the Hillsong church network, is facing two allegations of misconduct, involving sending inappropriate text messages to a member of staff and entering the hotel room of a woman while drunk. He is already on leave preparing to fight a court case where he is accused of covering up the historic child abuse of his father. In a statement, Hillsong said it was investigating, apologised to those affected and that it was reviewing its governance structures.
Spring equinox at Stonehenge
About 1,000 people gathered at Stonehenge for the spring equinox, as first light emerged at 5.45 yesterday morning. Druids and pagans assembled for rituals including dancing and song, to welcome the first day of spring,
