Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine

Responding to the crisis in Ukraine

The awful war in Ukraine is breaking our hearts.  Innocent children, women and men are being slaughtered.  This war is morally wrong and must be condemned without reservation.  We need to do all we can to help.  So far, our response includes the following:

Prayer
Right across the Diocese Prayers for Peace have been offered.  The Vigil for Peace for Ukraine was held in the Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, and was well attended. Let us be mindful of the Russians living among us. 

Volunteers for teaching English
We are making an appeal to the Parishes for volunteers to teach English to Refugees. The ability to communicate in the local language is vital.  

Bishop Cullinan will take refugees into his house
The Bishop will welcome refugees into his house and has already pledged to do so through the Irish Red Cross. 

Vacant parish houses.
I will be in consultation with the authorities to offer vacant parish houses to discuss what parish properties may be suitable and available for refugees.  One parish has already taken in a refugee family in a vacant house.  We also hope to make other buildings available as weekly meeting places for recreation for refugees.   

 

Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Bishop, Priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese will join Pope Francis in Consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday March 25th, the Feast Day of the Annunciation.  This will take place in our Diocese in the Cathedral at 4.00 pm on that day and in other locations around the Diocese.

Special collection for Ukraine
The Irish Bishops have asked for a Special Collection for Ukraine to be taken up at Masses on the weekend of 26th /27th March 2022. 

Please lodge money directly to Waterford & Lismore Collections A/c
IBAN: IE31 BOFI 9061 9538 3819 61
BIC: BOFIIE2D

Cheques should be made payable to:
Diocese of Waterford & Lismore

Money collected will be sent to:
Caritas (The international equivalent of Trócaire)

  1. Directly to Bishop Hryhorij Komar (Auxiliary Bishop of Sambir-Drohobych, Ukraine) Bishop Komar has 150 priests in his Diocese. They have opened up their churches and parish buildings to cater for the huge numbers of refugees pouring in.  He is personally known to Bishop Cullinan and is very grateful for the assistance we are giving him in terms of prayer, money donations and Mass stipends.
  2. Aid to the Church in Need is another organisation to which we can donate.

Some parishes have already sent funds through Trócaire to Caritas International, the Irish Red Cross and through the Diocesan Office to Bishop Komar in the Ukraine.

Appeal to Government
Echoing the words of Archbishop Dermot Farrell, “I appeal to the Government to address comprehensively the plight of the enslaved and exploited women, children, and men who have come to our shores”, and to provide the necessary funds and services to do so.