Ukrainian War: Ecumenical peace prayers in Vienna and Salzburg

2024-02-24 18:31:25

Cardinal Schönborn at the ecumenical service in St. Stephen’s Cathedral: “God should touch hearts so that they open up to peace” – Ukrainian Ambassador Khymynets grateful for “strong signal of support for the Ukrainian people and for peace” – Archbishop Lackner: Not on get used to war

Vienna (KAP) – Ecumenical prayers for peace took place in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and in the cathedral in Salzburg on Saturday, the second anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The celebration in St. Stephen’s Cathedral was presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and the leaders of local ecumenism as well as two bishops from Ukraine. Both the Archbishop of Vienna and the Ukrainian ambassador to Austria, Vasyl Khymynets, remembered the many victims of the war and urgently appealed for peace for Ukraine. Archbishop Franz Lackner called for people not to get used to war.

Two years ago, Ukraine was “invaded” by Russia in violation of international law, emphasized the Viennese Archbishop and recalled thousands of dead and injured, millions of refugees, the children brought to Russia, the destruction and the suffering of the families. “We also think with compassion of the mothers whose sons died on both sides as a result of senseless violence,” said the cardinal. Schönborn describes prayer, especially in the face of a “senseless war,” as a “power.” Prayer makes it clear that “we cannot do it alone. God should touch hearts so that they open up to peace. We bring our prayer to God so that there can be peace.”

The Ambassador of Ukraine describes the joint ecumenical prayer as a “strong signal of support for the Ukrainian people and for peace.” For two years now, Ukraine has felt the “great support from Austria,” said Khymynets, thanking the state authorities and aid organizations. “The Ukrainians want to live in peace. That’s what we’re fighting for and that’s what we’ll continue to fight for,” said the ambassador, who asked for support: “Every help is important and gives hope for freedom and peace.”

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