By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — As Russia’s violent monthlong invasion continued to devastate Ukraine, Pope Francis laid the fates of both countries at the feet of Mary in the hopes that peace would finally reign. “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate […]
Bishop Silva leads local invocation to Our Lady
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima March 25 during the noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Bishop Larry Silva joined Pope Francis and the world’s bishops in leading local congregations in the consecration of the world, particularly Russia and Ukraine, to […]
Pope Francis | Ukraine: ‘Stop this massacre’
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Appealing again for an end to the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis said those who invoke God to promote or justify violence “profane his name.” “In the name of God, I ask: Stop this massacre,” the pope said March 13 at the end of his Sunday […]
War is like ‘a cancer that grows,’ says Vatican secretary of state
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Russia’s war on Ukraine “seems to have changed” the world, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. Since the invasion Feb. 24, the bombings and battles have sent millions of refugees fleeing, led several countries to consider increasing military spending and raised the specter of […]
Missions of peace
Pope Francis last week sent the head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development Cardinal Michael Czerny and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almoner, to Ukraine to meet with refugees and displaced persons and those who assist them. Cardinal Czerny wrote about his mission in the Jesuit publication “Aggiornamenti Sociali.” Here are excerpts. By […]
Church leaders urge Russian patriarch to speak with Putin
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — 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. In an open letter published March 2, Romanian Orthodox Father Ioan Sauca, acting […]
Centuries-old Marian icon provides solace, protection amid horror of war
By Christina Lee Knauss Catholic News Service 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. In some news photos, clergy are seen […]
Where to give to help Ukraine
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Various Catholic agencies are collecting donations to aid with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as people flee to escape Russian bombing and shelling. Here are some places to donate. This list is not exhaustive. The international Caritas confederation is collecting funds to help Caritas Ukraine. In the United States, […]
WAR IN UKRAINE: ‘With a heart broken,’ pope prays for peace
One who wages war, Francis said, ‘relies on the diabolical and perverse logic of weapons, which is the furthest thing from God’s will’ By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said his heart was “broken” by the war in Ukraine, and he pleaded again, “Silence the weapons!” “Many times, we prayed […]
Pope prays that dialogue, reconciliation prevail in Ukraine
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — On the day Pope Francis established as a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, the pope appealed for an end to all war and prayed that dialogue, the common good and reconciliation would prevail. “Let us ask the Lord to grant that the country may […]
