Nicolet – Convened in plenary, the Catholic bishops of Quebec express their shock and sadness at the war that is currently ravaging Ukraine. They appeal to all Quebeckers, especially Christian communities, to demonstrate their solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine.

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First of all, the bishops encourage the offering of prayers for peace and for the people who are suffering in this armed conflict. With this in mind, they welcome the initiatives of prayer and spiritual solidarity begun by parishes and dioceses throughout Quebec. The daily prayers of every person may include the fate of the suffering peoples of Ukraine and Russia.

The bishops also invite Christian communities to assist, as well as initiate, measures to receive the people who have begun to arrive in Quebec seeking refuge and reassurance. The Catholic Church in Quebec has a long tradition of providing hospitality, especially in crisis situations. The present moment calls us to carry on that tradition in conjunction with organizations dedicated to assisting refugees.

Finally, the bishops encourage the citizens of Quebec to give generously to organizations that provide assistance directly to people displaced and affected by the war. Those wishing to contribute to this effort may contact Catholic humanitarian aid organizations, such as Development and Peace (Caritas Canada), which has set up an emergency campaign for Ukraine; the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), which is a papal agency active in Eastern Europe; and Aid to the Church in Need, which assists local churches. In this spirit, the Secretariat of Catholic Bishops of Quebec has pledged a donation of $10,000.

Let us be peacemakers!