The Sisters of Mercy join the urgent calls for prayers for the people of Ukraine, for peace and a cessation of the violence resulting from Russia’s invasion. We deeply grieve for all those suffering from the unfolding humanitarian crisis and echo the repeated call of our church leaders that war is “always a defeat for humanity.”
Given the extreme danger and devastating consequences that would result from an escalation of the war, including death on all sides, forced migration, environmental destruction, and the potential use of nuclear weapons, we urge political leaders to work to end hostilities and prioritize multilateral diplomatic actions.
For far too long, political leaders have relied on militarized responses to conflict; it is time to commit to the serious pursuit of new models that prioritize diplomacy, dialogue, and global cooperation. We must no longer respond with military force and focus instead on the underlying causes of these crises.
We encourage all to join Pope Francis’ invitation to make March 2nd, Ash Wednesday, a day for fasting and prayers for peace.