Press Releases09 Mar 22

Responding to the Ukraine crisis

Our members have been swiftly and generously helping with appeals to assist refugees from Ukraine in recent days.  The following encouraging stories are among the many local responses being undertaken at this time.

Connor parishes respond to plight of Ukrainians

Parishes across Connor Diocese have responded generously to appeals to donate items to help those refugees from Ukraine arriving at the border with Poland and other European countries.  Read reports from Ballyclare, North Belfast and Lisburn here.

A prayer for Ukraine from Bishop Michael Burrows

The following video was shared by the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, on Ash Wednesday (2nd March):

Clogher parishes helping with donations

Parishes throughout Clogher Diocese have been fundraising or co–ordinating collections of essential supplies for the people of Ukraine.

The Grouped Parishes of Trory and Killadeas collected £550 from during Shrove Tuesday when Rector, the Revd Mark Gallagher, made 250 pancakes and served them at breakfast, lunch and after dinner to people who arrived at the Rectory. The money is being donated to the UNHCR Ukraine Fund.

The parishioners of St Finbarr’s Church, Carrickmacross, are supporting ‘Sustain Ukraine’ through local woman Emilia O’Neill who is organising a collection for Ukraine refugees who have fled to Poland. Those with donations of multiple items dropped them off at the Rectory or at church on Sunday, 6th March. There was a special time of prayer for Ukraine in St Finbarr’s on Monday evening, 7th March.

The grouped Parishes of Maguiresbridge and Derrybrusk have been asking their parishioners to use the collection point at Lidl Car Park, Lisnaskea, for dropping off items such as bed sheets, pillows, blankets, baby supplies, clothes and shoe and healthcare items.

Colaghty Parish Church directed parishioners to a collection point in Kesh village for donating items such as bedding, clothes, toiletries, disposable cutlery and cups and plates, ready to eat canned food not requiring cooking or heating, dried foods, tea coffee, bottled water and juices.

Medical supplies head from Cork to Ukraine

Yesterday, Tuesday 8th March, five van loads carrying 13 tonnes of medical supplies and aid contributed by Cork people and organisations in Cork departed for Ukraine, driven by a team from the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery accompanied by Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners. The cost of the ferry crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg for the five vans has been covered, through an impulse offer of Bishop Paul Colton at lunch with Caitriona last Friday, by some of the clergy, employees and parishes of the Dioceses of of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The vans will travel onwards through France, Belgium, Germany and into Poland where, at the border with Ukraine, the Cork team will be met by members of the Redemptorist Order who will bring them into Ukraine.

Collection for Irish Red Cross

In the Dioceses of Meath and Kildare, Bishop Pat Storey asked all parishes to have a retiring collection for the Irish Red Cross on Sunday (6th March) for relief in Ukraine.

Dromore Cathedral’s Service of Intercession

Dromore Cathedral, in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, held a Service of Intercession for the people of Ukraine on Sunday evening.

Vigil for Peace in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin

“There is no argument, no justification for Russia’s actions against Ukraine. None,” the Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland stated at a Vigil for Peace held in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Ash Wednesday evening.

Expressing the solidarity of the people of Dublin with the people of Ukraine, the Lord Mayor said: “The outpouring of support in Dublin, across Ireland and across Europe for Ukraine epitomises our shared values and respect for the democratic right of peoples to self–determination and our rejection of actions that trample these democratic principles by which we all live and by which we all want to live.”

The moving Vigil and the preceding Choral Evensong, sung in plainsong by the Lay Vicars Choral, was led by Dean William Morton who welcomed “all who come with peace in their hearts to join in prayer for peace in Ukraine”. He and Canon Charles Mullen led prayers for peace. The service was attended by Archbishop Michael Jackson and local and national elected representatives. Also present were Ambassadors and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps from across Europe as well as people from Ukraine.

Black Santa to sit out for Ukraine

Belfast’s Black Santa has taken to the steps of St Anne’s Cathedral for a special sit–out to raise funds to support those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Dean Stephen Forde will be back on the cathedral steps just over two months after finishing his annual Christmas sit–out, and this special appeal will run throughout Lent, with the Dean ‘sitting out’ and collecting donations each Wednesday from 12pm–3pm for six weeks. Donations can also be made online on the dedicated Black Santa website: www.belfastblacksanta.org

Please continue to support our financial appeal for Ukrainian refugees, organised by Bishops’ Appeal, channelled through Habitat for Humanity Ireland and Christian Aid.  A total of €20,000 (£16,600) has been released from the appeal’s funds to date.