Ukraine Orthodox leader says “War is a grave sin”
10,000 Russian troops have moved into eastern Ukraine states of Donetsk and Luhansk, as the Russian parliament authorises the use of force outside Russia. The West has retaliated with a range of economic sanctions, as religious leaders urge continuing efforts to broker peace and raise concerns for a refugee surge.
Metropolitan Onuphrius, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow patriarchate) said war is a grave sin and appealed to the faithful to intensify their prayers for peace. His church is loyal to the Russian Orthodox church in Moscow, regarded with suspicion by Ukraine nationalists. In a statement he said: “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has consistently supported and continues to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and calls on its faithful to pray for peace in our Ukrainian state and around the world. I urge the leaders of the states and all those on whom it depends not to allow a new war. War is a grave sin before God.”
Metropolitan Epiphanius, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which separated from Russian roots in 2019, posted a statement yesterday saying: “I call on everyone to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression. I call on you to fight for Ukrainian statehood, to support the armed forces … Together we can stand. With God’s help, we will win this fight”.
The Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of the Holy Family of London, Kenneth Nowakowski, has appealed for prayers that “no more families have to mourn the loss of their sons and daughters in this war, both from the Ukrainian side and, of course, from the Russian side as well”. In a recorded message, the bishop stressed the need for calm and de-escalation of a war “that has been waged for the last eight years in Ukraine”. He said the community needed support and was very appreciative of solidarity from Britain.
Bishops mobilise support for expected Ukraine refugees
The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth has raised the challenge of an estimated 5 million refugees from the Ukraine seeking safety elsewhere. He raised the question in the Lords and was told there was a possible new EU-UK migration agreement on the immediate concerns relating to Ukraine.
The President of Polish Catholic bishops, Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki of Poznań, is calling on Catholics and people of good will in Poland to welcome Ukrainian refugees seeking shelter in the country, while continuing to pray for peace.
Holocaust memorial plans contested in High Court
Plans to build a holocaust memorial monument in Victoria Tower gardens, next to the House of Commons, are the right idea, but in the wrong place, the High Court heard yesterday. Campaigners against using this site for the purpose are appealing against planning permission granted by Westminster Council. The court was told that many campaigners were from families forced to flee the Holocaust or who perished in it. But, as reported by the Jewish Chronicle, they believe it is “an exceptionally serious intrusion into a green public open space of the highest heritage significance.” The case continues.
Legal inquiry into Spanish clerical sex abuse
The Associated Press reports a law firm in Madrid will conduct a year-long inquiry into past and present sexual abuse by Spain’s Roman Catholic clergy, members of religious orders, teachers and others associated with the church. The head of the church in Spain, Cardinal Juan José Omella, said the inquiry would help victims and establish collaboration among groups set up to tackle abuse. The investigation spans all cases, unlimited by a time period.
200 km Walk Against Hunger during 40 days of Lent
The Catholic aid charity Cafod is launching the “Walk Against Hunger” campaign urging people to walk 200 kilometres over the 40 days of Lent which starts on 2 March. It follows a similar Walk for Water held last year which raised £800k, but this year the target is lower at £580,000, reflecting the fact that walking during lockdowns was popular. Cafod director Christine Allen told The Tablet that the campaign will highlightthat200m children that are facing malnutrition all over the world.
