MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS' CONFERENCE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY 2022 DURING THE WAR IN UKRAINE

In his message, the Episcopate’s President observed that Lent will once again be very difficult. After facing a pandemic that, in recent years, has brought death to several million people around the world, “for the past week, we have been witnessing to another drama—the massive Russian military aggression against a sovereign country—Ukraine,” he said.

Archbishop Gądecki stressed that every nation has the moral right to defend itself effectively. “Dear sisters and brothers of Ukraine, for your love of God and heroic love for your homeland, you all deserve respect and recognition. On behalf of the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in Poland, I once again assure you of our goodwill, friendship, spiritual and material support,” he said.

The president of the episcopate pointed out that the suffering of the Ukrainians has released immense goodness in Poles. “We are witnesses of the endearing hospitality of our compatriots moved by the misfortune of their neighbors," he stressed. He thanked all those who joined in giving concrete assistance to refugees. “Thank you for every good word and smallest gesture of kindness addressed to our suffering brothers and sisters. Let us surround them with prayers, show cordiality, help them find jobs,” he appealed.

He recalled that on Ash Wednesday, there will be another collection of offerings will continue; the collected funds will be allocated through Caritas Poland for immediate and long-term assistance to war refugees. “Moreover, in this extremely difficult situation, let us welcome refugees in our homes, parishes, and religious communities. Our Ukrainian sisters and brothers need further gestures of human solidarity and kindness," Archbishop Gądecki urged.

He concluded by calling on the faithful to pray for Russia. “There will be no peace in our part of the world until Russia returns to Christ. We dream that one day there will be forgiveness and reconciliation among all the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe, so that we can live not only in peace but also in friendship,” said the president of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS' CONFERENCE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY 2022 DURING THE WAR IN UKRAINE

 

Dear Compatriots, Ukrainian Sisters and Brothers, Spectators of Polish Television,

1. Tomorrow—Ash Wednesday—we will start Lent, a time of spiritual preparation for the Resurrection of the Lord. Once again, it will be very difficult. In recent years we have been facing a pandemic that has brought death to several million people around the world. Now, for the past week, we have been witnessing to another drama—the massive Russian military aggression against a sovereign country—Ukraine. Not only military facilities are being attacked, but also residential buildings, hospitals, and kindergartens. Soldiers and civilians, including women and children, are being killed. The free world is reacting with solidarity to this act of shameful barbarism.
2. The ancient history of human sin is being repeated before our eyes, as the author of the First Book of Maccabees writes: “When they saw the army coming against them, they said to Judas: ‘How can we, few as we are, fight such a strong host as this? Besides, we are weak since we have not eaten today.’ But Judas said: ‘Many are easily hemmed in by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between deliverance by many or by few; for victory in war does not depend upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven. With great presumption and lawlessness, they come against us to destroy us and our wives and children and to despoil us; but we are fighting for our lives and our laws. He will crush them before us; so, do not fear them!” (1 Mach 3:17-22). Do not lose hope!
3. Every nation has a moral right to defend itself effectively. We are moved by the heroism and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people. Dear sisters and brothers of Ukraine, for your love of God and heroic love for your homeland, you all deserve respect and recognition. On behalf of the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in Poland, I once again assure you of our goodwill, friendship, spiritual and material support.
4. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine makes us clearly aware that in the world—in addition to material warfare—a spiritual battle is being waged at the same time. A struggle that takes concrete shapes, in which concrete people participate. And spiritual weapons are the main tool of warfare at the disposal of the faithful. “This kind of evil spirit is cast out only by prayer and fasting,” we read in the Gospel of St. Matthew (Mt 17:21). For this reason—responding to the call of Pope Francis—I urge that we, as believers, offer tomorrow’s fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine.
5. The suffering of our sisters and brothers has released a great deal of goodness within us. We are witnesses of the endearing hospitality of our compatriots moved by the misfortune of their neighbors. Every day, thousands of refugees—mostly women and children—come to Poland seeking refuge from war. I thank all those who have spontaneously joined in concrete aid to refugees. I thank you for your diplomatic efforts and international support. I thank governmental and local authorities, uniformed and medical services, institutions, and companies. I also thank the dioceses, parishes, priests, consecrated persons, and all who have opened their welcoming doors to refugees. In particular, I express my gratitude to Caritas Poland and the diocesan Caritas, to the Aid to the Church in the East, which are already providing concrete assistance throughout the country. I am grateful for the collections of food, medicines, and basic necessities that have been organized. Thank you for every good word and smallest gesture of kindness addressed to our suffering brothers and sisters. Let us surround them with prayers, show cordiality, help them find jobs.
6. Yet, the needs are much greater. That is why tomorrow, in churches throughout Poland—after every Mass—we will continue the collection of offerings that, through Caritas Poland, will be allocated for immediate and long-term assistance to war refugees. Moreover, in this extremely difficult situation, let us welcome refugees in our homes, parishes, and religious communities. Our Ukrainian sisters and brothers need further gestures of human solidarity and kindness.

7. Let us also keep Russia in our prayers. There will be no peace in our part of the world until Russia returns to Christ. We dream that one day there will be forgiveness and reconciliation among all the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe, so that we can live not only in peace but also in friendship. The Russians who today protest against this war—endangering themselves in the face of the official authorities—strengthen our hope for the moral and spiritual rebirth of the entire Russian nation.

For a fruitful experience of this year’s Lent, I heartily bless all Poles and Ukrainians, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Warsaw, March 1^st, 2022