While winds of war blow in Ukraine, the International Forum of Catholic Action (IFCA) with all the associations of Catholic Action in the world, has accepted the renewed appeal of Pope Francis to pray and fast for peace, on Wednesday, March 2, in families, in parish and diocesan communities, in groups, and proposes a journey of prayer in view of that day.

A step towards prayer on March 2 will be the special prayer of the Rosary of Peace on Sunday, February 27, together with the Catholics of Ukraine. IFCA organized an online connection with the faithful of the Nativity of Theotokos Church parish in Lviv, at 12.15 (Ukrainian time) which corresponds to 11.15 Italian time, on February 27, after the Eucharistic celebration. Members of Catholic Action and all the faithful who wish to take part from IFCA countries will be connected. “We remain united with prayer and with thoughts of peace”, hopes a note from FIAC sent to Fides News Agency.

The Pope said at the General Audience on February 23: “Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute”. And he continued: “I invite everyone to make next March 2, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war”.