On Sunday, March 6, I took part in a demonstration organized by the Collectif Échec à la guerre as part of an international appeal opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the expansion of NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance of which Canada is a member. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the alliance has expanded to include several Central European countries that border directly on Russia.

Written by Louise Royer, Director of the Social Action Office

Freezing rain was falling that morning last week... In the spirit of the declaration of the executive committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I had prayed and fasted for peace on Ash Wednesday, indeed I didn’t stop praying. That is likely what spurred me on to go to the march. After all, don't refugees have to face conditions far worse than this? The sun was shining as I exited the metro, a beautiful allusion to spring!

As I walked, I encountered people who share a passion for truth, for freedom and justice, and for solidarity. For many, their motivation and commitment spring from their Christian faith. Others included those who had been there 20 years ago, along with children and people of all various backgrounds.

I encountered the same spirit that had inspired the demonstrations of solidarity with the Iraqi people back in 2002-2003, soon to be twenty years ago, as Maggy Métellus reminded us! Echec à la guerre has matured, the analyses have become more rigorous, the speeches more nuanced, and the commitment to solidarity with peoples suffering through war has become even stronger - if that’s possible. I was moved, informed and edified by the Raymond Legault’s speech.

I reflected on the "non-violent means to resolve disputes and disagreements" that our bishops recommend to us. How do we respond to "needless violence?" If such a thing as “needed violence” exists, how can we identify it? Aren’t the weapons that will be used to kill people in Ukraine paid for in part with our taxes? How can we encourage dialogue right here in Montreal, where Russians, Ukrainians and Poles live side by side, where Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches flourish, and people thrive who immigrated from other countries where now-forgotten wars had caused so much death? How can we challenge the Manichean premise of “good guys on this side, bad guys over there” that pops up with every click on social media, that is behind every news bulletin? 

One way to resist needless violence is to follow through on the prophetic appeal of our bishops who have called on the Canadian government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. That was in 2019! For those interested, further information is provided in this in-depth publication by Echec à la guerre provides. And the petition below is addressed to the House of Commons:
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3828

Wearing or displaying the white poppy is an expression of solidarity with the civilian victims of war.

Opening our doors to those fleeing this war-torn country or other scenes of violence remains a major challenge for our society. Kudos to Le Pont, to the Canadian Council for Refugees and to the Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes!

Last week's letter from the Archbishop recommended several ways to make donations and express our solidarity: CNEWA; and the Ukrainian churches of Montreal. These are excellent initiatives which can also be found in the newspaper La Presse! We would also recommend: Development and Peace / Caritas Canada and Aid to the Church in Need, to mention only those organizations within the Church’s sphere that have already begun to send aid.


May God protect our humanity!