WITHOUT BLOODSHED

Feb. 14

 As fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to mount, the Ukrainian Catholic bishops of the U.S.have called for a three-day prayer vigil “for peace and the conversion of the hearts of those who preach violence and escalate war.”

“Over the last weeks, the world has become fully aware of the fact that democratic Ukraineand its freedom-loving people are increasingly surrounded by hostile military forces prone for invasion,” said the bishops.

A full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine would “bring about devastating bloodshed and untold human suffering,” resulting in “a disaster with global repercussions,” the bishops warned.

“Deaths could be in the tens of thousands and refugees in the millions,” they said. “The economic and political shockwaves of the social devastation and material destruction in Ukrainewill be worldwide.”

Amid the grave situation, the bishops urged faithful to “pray and be full of hope,” citing Scripture passages from the First Letter of Peter and psalms 20 and 125.

“Ukrainian faithful of all confessions have witnessed miracles,” they said. “In recent history, we saw the collapse of the Iron Curtain, the dissolution of the Soviet prison of nations, the liberation of our churches, which occurred without war and bloodshed. We put our trust in God and ask for divine intervention. … Know the Lord and God’s love for the world!”

(Both icons Oksana Andrushchenko)