Every war leaves our world worse than it was before. War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil.
Fratelli Tutti, para 261
Nothing… can replace the need for the guns to be silenced; for dialogue and diplomacy to succeed. Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi
We, the leadership of the four congregations of Holy Cross, are acutely aware of the immense suffering inflicted on the Ukrainian people by the unprovoked Russian invasion of their country. We and the world are shocked and saddened by the violence perpetrated against innocent men, women and children and the deliberate targeting of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure which has already forced millions of people to flee the country and countless others to be displaced within its borders. We are also saddened by the casualties among Russian military whose families are likewise devastated by their losses.
We categorically affirm the Family of Holy Cross Statement on Nonviolence and applaud the UN Resolution on Aggression Against Ukraine (A/ES-11/L.1) that calls for an immediate halt to the conflict, urges diplomatic negotiations for a peaceful resolution and assures that territorial gain from the threat of force will not be recognized. It further demands that Russian forces withdraw immediately, protect civilians, and allow the safe passage of humanitarian aid.
We call on:
- all parties involved to facilitate unhindered access throughout Ukraine to humanitarian workers and relief supplies;
- all governments to provide aid to neighboring countries that are hosting large numbers of refugees;
- countries that have the capacity to accept refugees to increase the number they are accepting; simplify the resettlement process, and provide the full protections of international refugee and asylum law; and
- all nations to support United Nations resolutions that address the violence in Ukraine and the need for humanitarian aid.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI cautioned the world “No more war, war never again! Peace, it is peace which must guide the destinies of people….” Our founder Blessed Basil Moreau experienced the ravages of post-revolutionary France and thus committed the Holy Cross congregations to give preference to vulnerable and marginalized people. In the spirit of our founder, the women and men of Holy Cross embrace pursuit of just peace with zeal. We urge all who stand with us to do the same.
Congregation of Holy Cross
Marianites of Holy Cross
Sisters of Holy Cross
Sisters of the Holy Cross