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Together with the people around the world, Bishop Joseph Nguyen urges all those in the Diocese of Kamloops to pray for peace in Ukraine.
Pope Francis has asked Catholics to make March 2nd, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. “And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, 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.” -Pope Francis February 23, 2022
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops echoed that sentiment in a statement that was released on Thursday February 24th. “Jesus came to bring the gift of peace, and it is through Him that new pathways of dialogue can be opened, even when all other avenues appear closed. With Pope Francis, who has entrusted this situation to the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, we ask Our Lady, through her powerful intercession, to open hearts so that anger, resentment, and division may start to be healed and that any further escalation of unnecessary violence may be avoided.”
In a message released today, The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada stated “We pray for the strength of faith especially for those most closely affected by this war. And we invite all to join us in this ancient prayer of supplication to the Mother of God:
We flee to the shelter of your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God. Do not reject our prayers of anguish, but free us from tribulation, o only pure and blessed one.”
Development and Peace will be launching an emergency appeal to provide relief to the people of Ukraine. Information will be available on their website soon, or donations may be made now by calling 1-888-234-8533