Members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference prayed for peace in Ukraine when they gathered in person this week for their Spring 2022 General Meeting at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. The President of the Conference is Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and the Vice-President is Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin.
Bishops prayed for the people of Ukraine and all those impacted by the horrific bombardment, death, displacement, and destruction in their country. Bishops heard reports on the outpouring of solidarity and support from individuals, parishes, and communities to the people of Ukraine living here, and in their homeland. Bishops made an appeal to all Christians, including Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church, to join in daily spiritual and practical efforts in support of a ceasefire, humanitarian outreach, and the immediate laying down of weapons.
The bishops stated, “At this time of trial, we want to stand in prayerful and practical solidarity with the Ukrainian community here in Ireland and also to acknowledge the many Russians in our midst who bear no responsibility for this tragic situation. What we are witnessing during these days impels us again to appeal for diplomacy and dialogue – to work for a genuine human fraternity – as the only way to resolve differences and conflicts. As tens of thousands of refugees arrive in Ireland in the near future, there is no doubt that the Gospel is calling on us to open our hearts and our homes. We welcome the waiving of visa requirements for Ukrainians seeking refuge in Ireland and in other EU countries. The Northern Bishops, in particular, also call upon the UK Government to prioritize the rights and dignity of all Ukrainians who seek refuge in Northern Ireland. In order to help Ukrainians recover from the trauma and violent displacement that they have experienced, we encourage everyone to welcome refugees in a sensitive and compassionate manner. We ask all parish communities to give serious consideration to ways in which refugees can be accommodated and integrated while with us.”
The bishops stated, “This invasion and aggression reminds us of the fragility of peace, even in Europe, a place that has experienced peace for much of the past seven decades. It is we as the people of Europe, together with the wider world, who must shape history at this crucial moment in time. The inspiration that informed the foundation of the various European institutions and organizations after World War II was peace and the development of economic, social, and cultural ties. There is a crying need for the renewal of the ‘soul of Europe’ which must be based on the spiritual sources and roots which inspired those post-war developments.”
The bishops expressed support for the many prayer initiatives for peace in recent days. Given the importance of the national feast of Saint Patrick, they invited parishes to reach out on that day in a special way to the Ukrainian people living in Ireland and around the world, sending greetings of prayer and solidarity to them in this time of anguish. At the ‘sign of peace at Mass on that day, and for the remainder of Lent, bishops ask priests to call for peace in the world and especially in Ukraine and, after a moment of silence, to invite everyone to offer a gesture or greeting of peace (without the handshake), holding in prayer all who are caught up in this conflict:
Prayer for the People of Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
For all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world; that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
Our Lady of Kyiv, pray for us!
