It would be “unconscionable” to celebrate St Patrick’s Day without offering the “solidarity of our prayers, charity and welcome for the people of Ukraine” the archbishops of Armagh have said in a joint statement.
This comes as Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin renewed the call for parish communities to open their doors and identify properties that can be used for refugees fleeing Ukraine.
Archbishop Martin and CoI Archbishop John McDowell called for an “immediate ceasefire” and the end of the bombardment of Ukraine which has “trapped countless civilians in a nightmare of destruction and displaced millions of others from their homes and families”.
“We fear that the humanitarian crisis which this madness has caused may yet accelerate before it dissipates,” the archbishops warned.
For St Patrick’s Day, they said: “We pray for the Ukrainian people who already share this island with us, and for their families and friends who are trapped in the horror of destruction and bloodshed at home. We join our small Lenten sacrifices with their immense suffering.
“We also acknowledge the many Russian people, here and in their homeland, who bear no responsibility for this heart-breaking situation and who share our desire for peace and an end to this terrible violence.”
Massacre
They said: “We appeal through our prayers this St Patrick’s Day for an end to this pointless massacre and pulverising of the property, bodies and spirit of the Ukrainian people.”
The archbishops drew parallels to the life of St Patrick, who was captured and trafficked to Ireland at a young age, and the thousands of refugees arriving in Ireland from Ukraine.
“We pray that our land of welcomes will continue to offer compassionate respite to our sisters and brothers in their time of need,” they said.
“This is the light of the Gospel shining through the darkness: the outpouring of prayer, charity and solidarity across Ireland towards the people of Ukraine has been heartening.
“Many individuals and parish communities have already been extremely generous in establishing active links with charitable projects in Ukraine and along its borders to support refugees and those remaining in their homeland. We wholeheartedly support and encourage these efforts.”
Peace process
The archbishop underlined that the war in Europe should help people in Ireland learn lessons about the peace process, “about the importance of never taking our progress in peace for granted, never giving up on dialogue and the building of bridges and mutual understanding across historical divides”.
“The tragedy of what we are witnessing in Ukraine during these days impels us again here in Ireland to work for a genuine human fraternity as the only way to resolve differences and conflicts,” the archbishops added.
The Primates led the annual St Patrick’s lecture and discussion organised by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh today.
The annual lecture and discussion reflects on how the witness of St Patrick speaks into the contemporary world.
This year’s theme was: ‘St Patrick as a model for reconciliation and peace’.
Following the event, the archbishops delivered their St Patrick’s Day message and expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
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