Ash Wednesday 2022, Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace – and close to the people of Ukraine.

 “It is a day to be close to the suffering of the Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are      

                    all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war.”

Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine at his public audience in the Vatican on Feb. 23 as the situation continued to deteriorate between Russia and Ukraine. He appealed to the consciences of “those with political responsibility” and “all the parties involved” to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”

Pope Francis called on all people, “believers and nonbelievers alike,” to pray and fast for peace next Wednesday, March 2, which for most Christians is also Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. “Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting,” the pope said. “I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day.”

Our sympathy and support for Ukrainian Australians – and for Mykola Bychok CSsR who is the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne since June 2020.