Two cardinals arrived at separate destinations on one mission entrusted to them by Pope Francis: to bring relief, hope and encouragement to suffering Ukrainians.
War in Ukraine
U.S. Ukrainian archbishop: ‘Morally, Ukraine has won this war’
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, the highest ranking Ukrainian Catholic prelate in the United States, declared during a March 5 online interview, “Morally, Ukraine has won this war.”
Vatican secretary of state speaks with Russian foreign minister
In a telephone call with Russia’s foreign minister, the Vatican secretary of state “conveyed Pope Francis’ deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine,” the Vatican said.
Alliance urges Russian investment review, saying divestment may be needed
Businesses and shareholders in companies doing business with Russian counterparts are being encouraged by an investor alliance to review possible connections to humanitarian and human rights violations being committed by Russia’s military forces in Ukraine and to consider divesting if such links are uncovered.
Pope says ‘rivers of blood’ flowing in Ukraine; Vatican ready to help
Pope Francis said the Vatican “is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace” in Ukraine.
Ukrainian archbishop condemns attack on nuclear facility
The attack on and seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces could lead to an ecological disaster 10 times worse than the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, said the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Centuries-old Marian icon offers solace, protection amid horror of war
As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia’s invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.
Bishop in Ukraine fears Russia could brand priests, nuns as spies
Church leaders in embattled Ukraine have warned that foreign missionaries could be targeted by attacking forces, while many could be branded “NATO spies” if Russia occupies the country.
Cardinal joins Biden, and later Archbishop Gudziak, in praying for Ukraine
As Pope Francis and Catholics throughout the world did on Ash Wednesday, March 2, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory prayed and expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they are enduring a brutal Russian military invasion of their country.
Church leaders urge Russian patriarch to speak with Putin
Catholic and Orthodox leaders in Europe have appealed to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, urging him to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine.
Company’s Ukraine Candle pays homage to nation; sales fund relief efforts
Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani, owner of Door County Candle Co. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, came up with the idea of making and selling what is called the Ukraine Candle for Ukrainian relief efforts.
Where to give to help Ukraine
Various Catholic agencies are collecting donations to aid with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as people flee to escape Russian bombing and shelling.