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Cardinal Timothy Dolan Gathers Religious Leaders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as Sign of Solidarity With Ukraine

Currents News Staff

From collections at parishes to Catholic organizations on the ground in Ukraine, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he can’t remember the world ever being so united.

“There’s a unity in prayer,” Cardinal Dolan said, “secondly there’s a unity in advocacy. This world is standing up and saying this can’t be tolerated.”

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan gathered religious leaders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan to ramp up efforts to help the people of Ukraine. It’s something the archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church says requires the entire world’s solidarity.

“There’s 10, 11, maybe 12 million people that have left their homes,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak. “They’ve been forced out of their homes, they’re homeless…. but in addition to that there’s 12 million people that are still in homes but they cannot survive without aid.”

Then there’s the more than 3 million people who have fled the country. The U.S. is saying it will welcome up to 100,000 thousands of them here.

“It’s a start,” said Archbishop Gudziak, “but Poland is a much smaller country, one tenth the size, and it’s received 2 million.”

This offer from the U.S. comes after the government formally accused Russian forces of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

“There have been numerous, credible reports of hospitals, schools, theaters, etceteras being intentionally attacked,” said Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Ambassador at-large for Global Criminal Justice. “The United Nations and other credible observers have confirmed hundreds of civilian deaths and we believe the exact civilian death toll will be in the thousands.”

The Ukrainian ambassador to the U.N. says there’s concern about human trafficking.

“We are not speaking about possibility,” said Serhiy Kyslytsa, “we are speaking about how soon it happens. We are speaking about 3 million Ukrainians scattered across Europe and other countries in the world. They are affected and they are very vulnerable.”

Meanwhile Archbishop Gudziak estimates that with all of the dioceses and Catholic organizations combined, the Church has given more than $50 million dollars in aid to this humanitarian crisis.

“There’s a real unity in relief,” said Cardinal Dolan, “getting the people of Ukraine the supplies and relief they need in a time of suffering.”

The president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association says it has donated just over a million dollars to Ukraine and the neighboring countries who are taking in refugees.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 3/23/22

President Joe Biden is in Brussels today for an emergency NATO summit on Ukraine.

The Pope is doing his part to bring an end to the violence. He’ll consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday.

It’s back to normal for Holy Week in Rome. For the first time since 2019 the Stations of the Cross will return to the Colosseum.

President Biden Travels to Brussels to Attend Emergency NATO Summit

Currents News Staff

Thousands of refugees are still making their way to the border while President Joe Biden makes his way to Brussels. There, the president will meet with NATO leaders and other allies Thursday to address the war in Ukraine. The White House says his first objective is to help the Ukrainians.

“The President is traveling to Europe to ensure we stay united on all three critical fronts,” said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, “helping the Ukrainian people defend themselves, imposing and increasing costs on Russia and reinforcing the Western alliance.

Ukraine says some hundred-thousand people are trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol.

“I’ve got elderly parents and four pets that I will not leave,” said resident Natalia Hayetska. “Thanks to good people and people who helped it became possible.”

Other Ukrainians are battling to protect the capital, Kyiv, and other cities. The U.N. says more than 3.5 million refugees fled to neighboring countries to escape the fighting.

“I have a little baby,” said refugee Alessandra Ovsiienko. “I love my family. I had plans, and now I don’t have plans.”

Biden’s second goal is to help impose further costs on Russia for its actions. Ukraine’s president has a message.

“You know who is ordering war and who is promoting it,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Almost all of them use Italy as a holiday resort, so do not be a resort for them.”

The trip is also to show the country that the U.S. stands with its allies.

A Return to Tradition: Way of the Cross Comes Back To Rome Colosseum

By Currents News and Junno Arocho Esteves 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican published Pope Francis’ calendar for Holy Week and Easter, which includes the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum for the first time in two years.

The annual commemoration of Christ’s passion at the Colosseum was canceled in 2020 due to restrictions on outdoor gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And in 2021, there was a pared-down Way of the Cross service in St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican said that Masses on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, as well as a canonization Mass May 15 will be celebrated outdoors for the first time since the pandemic began.

 

As is customary when first publishing the pontiff’s calendar for Holy Week, the Vatican did not provide the time or place for his celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 14.

Before the pandemic, Pope Francis had made it a tradition to celebrate the Mass and foot-washing ritual at a prison or detention center, refugee center or rehabilitation facility.

Last year, the pope celebrated a private Mass on Holy Thursday with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the former prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, who was forced to resign amid an investigation into suspected financial malfeasance.

The evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper in St. Peter’s Basilica that year was instead celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Here is the schedule of papal liturgical ceremonies and event for April and May released by the Vatican March 21:

— April 2-3, Apostolic visit to Malta.

— April 10, Palm Sunday, Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

— April 14, Holy Thursday, morning chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— April 15, Good Friday, afternoon liturgy of the Lord’s passion in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— April 15, Way of the Cross at night in the Colosseum.

— April 16, Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— April 17, Easter morning Mass in St. Peter’s Square, followed at noon by the pope’s blessing “urbi et orbi” (the city and the world).

— April 24, Divine Mercy Sunday, Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— May 15, Canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

What do Refugees Take With Them? Fleeing Ukrainians Hold Onto Prized Possessions

Currents News Staff

Life changed in an instant for these families as they were forced to flee their homes as Russian troops invaded. But what do you take with you as you run for safety?

For 11-year old Victoria, it is her beloved teddy bear. Although she outgrew him, he is just the right size for her little sister Valeria.

“It is for Valeria,” said Victoria. “It is her favorite toy… It was mine and now it’s hers. When she is crying a lot, she cuddles him at night.

Tetiana packed as the sound of explosions grew closer and closer to her family’s home in Kyiv.

“When I was gathering my stuff, I knew that I needed to take this,” Tetiana said. “It is the only album with my dad’s pictures in it.”

Her father died when she was six, but pictures of his smile bring comfort.

“I knew the photo album would make me feel calmer,” Tetiana said.

As for 7-year-old Milani, she rushes to grab her favorite thing. It’s easy to see why she loves it.

“Because there are animals in it, and dogs and you can count, here is six, here is four,” Milani said.

Denise was given 10 minutes to leave his university dorm, but he knew what to grab.

“My sunglasses! I adore them!” said Denise. “They make me look cool like Kurt Cobain.”

He said it brings him a sense of calm.

“It makes me feel like everything is going to be fine,” Denise said. “That we will win, and I will walk on the streets of Kyiv under a peaceful sky again.”

The refugee crisis in Ukraine is on course to reach the levels of displacement that followed the war in Syria that drove out 13 million Syrians out of their homes.

Diocese of Brooklyn Joins Pope Francis & Bishops Worldwide to Consecrate Russia & Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Currents News Staff

While there are no plans for the Holy Father to visit Ukraine any time soon, the Holy Father does have another plan to promote peace. He’ll consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday. The solemnity will take place at St. Peter’s Basilica. At the same time, priests and bishops from all over the world will be joining him in prayer performing their own consecrations.

The Diocese of Brooklyn will join in all Friday morning. Starting at 8 a.m. from the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Mass will be celebrated in English for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, with a prayer for the consecration after.

[Related: Text of Prayer of Consecration for Ukraine, Russia]

That will be repeated in Spanish at 9 a.m. and in Creole at 10 a.m. Bishop Robert Brennan will lead a Holy Hour prayer for peace at St. James Cathedral Basilica, followed by Mass at noon. Then at 1 p.m., you can watch the Vatican consecration right here on NET-TV.

Consecrating Russia and Ukraine on NET-TV

Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph

8 a.m. English Mass

9 a.m. Spanish Mass

10 a.m. Creole Mass

Cathedral Basilica of St. James

11 a.m. Holy Hour with Bishop Brennan

12 p.m. Mass

Vatican

1 p.m. Consecration

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 3/22/22

Ukraine’s military has retaken a key suburb of Kyiv.

Pope Francis will meet with representatives of Canada’s indigenous communities next week.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan spent part of his weekend in Queens, praying for people in prison.

President Biden Warns About Russian Cyber Attacks

Currents News Staff

Ukraine is on the offense as soldiers show their national flag after regaining control of Makariv. They’re threatening Russian re-supply as well as efforts to circle the city.

As the Ukrainian counter-attack appears to make some headway, U.S. officials believe Russian president Vladimir Putin’s next escalation could be a direct cyberattack on the United States.

“We are constantly monitoring our own critical infrastructure here at the Pentagon and throughout the U.S. government to make sure that we can remain resilient against a cyberattack,” said Rear Admiral John Kirby.

It’s an urgent warning to American businesses to strengthen their cyber defenses immediately.

“President Biden has been very clear if we’re attacked in cyberspace,” Admiral Kirby said, “there will be consequences for that.”

The Biden administration says the private sector can guard against cyber attacks by using multi-factor authentication and changing passwords across networks. The alert comes as Russia continues its assault.

“Each day, Mariupol is destroyed more and more,” said Ukraine Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov. “Until now, estimating 90% of our infrastructure is damaged and destroyed.”

The southeastern port city of Mariupol was once home to more than 450,000 people, but now it’s reduced to rubble. Families are fleeing for their lives unsure of where to go.

“I’m 84 and this was the first time in my life that I felt horror,” said Halyna Zhelezniak. “I couldn’t believe it happened. It was just a shock.”