Bishop Justin of Maramureș and Sătmar has urged the clergy to host and help the Ukrainian refugees in his diocese.
“We empower the priests on the border with Ukraine in the Sighet area, and not only, in connection and collaboration with the local authorities and the faithful they pastor, to receive our exiled brethren, to house them, to feed them, to comfort and give them rest until this great turmoil and trial pass,” Bishop Justin said in a message at the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
The bishop used his message to urge believers to pray for “peace in Ukraine, for peace between Ukraine and Russia and peace in the world.”
“Let us remember in our prayers all our Christian brothers in Ukraine and let us not forget the almost 500,000 Romanian brothers and sisters who are beyond the borders of Romania, abroad, in Maramureș on the right bank of the Tisza River, in Northern Bukovina and in the other areas where they live.”
“May the God of peace, justice, harmony and understanding between peoples and nations bring peace to the hearts of those who are at war today. May He enlighten and soften their hearts to extinguish this war before making countless casualties and before bringing grief and sorrow in families, communities and the hearts of parents and before grieving beyond measure the Church that suffers for every life lost prematurely and in a difficult and unwanted way by God,” the Bishop of Maramureș and Sătmar noted.
The mayor of Sighetul Marmației announced on Thursday, February 24, that the local authorities are ready to house Ukrainian refugees.
Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews
