Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Vatican is "willing to facilitate dialogue with Russia" and "ready to help" all parties involved to return to the negotiating table.

"There is still time for goodwill, there is still room for negotiation," the cardinal said in an interview published jointly by several Italian newspapers.

In the interview, published on February 28, the secretary of state said that despite the outbreak of conflict "I am convinced that there is still and always room for negotiation. It is never too late".

"Because the only reasonable and constructive way to settle differences is dialogue, as the pope never tires of repeating," he said.

"The Holy See, which in recent years has followed the events in Ukraine constantly, discreetly and with great attention, offering its willingness to facilitate dialogue with Russia, is always ready to help the parties to resume that path".

Russian and Ukrainian representatives arrived for talks on Monday at the Ukraine-Belarus border. However, Ukrainian representatives voiced scepticism that the talks will end the conflict.

But "we must avoid every escalation, halt the conflict and negotiate," Parolin said. He also looked to longer-term implications between East and West. The cardinal commented that "returning to a new cold war" is a "disturbing scenario" and that only "a culture of fraternity" can build stable and just world peace.

The cardinal acknowledged the danger facing Europe and the eerie echoes of the world wars. European intervention in the Ukrainian conflict "would be a catastrophe of massive proportions" he said. Still, the eventuality "cannot be excluded".

"I have seen some of the statements these days that recalled the incidents that preceded and provoked the Second World War" Parolin said. "These references make one shudder".

He added that the different Christian communions can also "play a vital role" in bringing peace.

"Today we see encouraging signs in the appeals of the heads of the Orthodox Churches who show a willingness to leave aside the memory of each other's wounds and to work together for peace" he commented.

Since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Pope Francis has engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to help end the conflict.

On February 25, in an unprecedented move, he visited the Russian Embassy to the Holy See "to show his concern for the war". Insiders say the visit included a direct phone call to Vladimir Putin.

On the same day, Pope Francis called Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leader. The pope promised to do everything he could to help end the war. This was the genesis of the idea that the Vatican could mediate between Ukraine and Russia.

Sources

Religion News

Catholic News Agency

"The people of Ireland are well aware that we can never take peace for granted. We must always continue work for peace, to pray for peace and to make sacrifices for peace.

"The scenes from Ukraine in recent days are distressing and frightening. They remind us how fragile peace in the world is. To think that only days ago the people of that country were getting on with their lives, making plans for their families, their businesses, their education - and now suddenly their lives, homes and futures are under threat".

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"Today all of humanity has been placed in danger — that the powerful have a right to impose themselves on whomever they wish, with no regard for the rule of law," he said.

"It is our natural right and sacred duty to defend our land and our people, our state and all that is dearest to us: family, language and culture, history and the spiritual world," he said.

Shevchuk said Ukraine "is in danger again," and said "the treacherous enemy" has broken the basic norms of international law, "stepped on Ukrainian soil, bringing with him death and destruction."

"At this historic moment, the voice of our conscience calls us all as one to stand up for a free, united and independent Ukrainian State," he continued.

"The history of the last century teaches us that all those who started world wars lost them, and the idolaters of war brought only destruction and decline to their own states and peoples."

Archbishop Mokrzycki said the Catholic Church all across Ukraine was preparing for the possibility of a wave of Ukrainians being displaced from their homes, especially from the eastern area.

"We are ready to welcome people into our churches and provide them with food and water," he said. "We have organised first aid courses for priests, religious and laity, so that in an emergency they can care for the wounded".

Some eastern Ukrainians have already moved to the west, he said, and "we have already rented some empty houses that will provide accommodation for them".

The archbishop added that the prayers and support of people around the world had profoundly moved him.

"We are most grateful to the entire universal Church, and especially to Pope Francis who has issued a worldwide appeal for prayer for Ukraine," he said.

"I would like to repeat this appeal: Continue this prayer. Keep on praying, until the final peace comes".

Meanwhile, Catholics in Poland are being asked to continue praying for peace but be prepared to welcome refugees from Eastern Ukraine.

Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki, president of the Polish bishops' conference, has appealed to Poles to help the refugees.

People displaced from their homes are already arriving in the western part of Ukraine.

A representative of Catholic Relief Services said the US Catholic international aid organisation is also prepared to help.

The Polish archbishop made his appeal on the bishops' conference website after news that Russian-allied separatists in Eastern Ukraine had increased artillery and mortar attacks.

Reports say a kindergarten was hit last Thursday while the children were in the building. According to reports, none of the children was injured, but three staff members were.

"Everyone has the right to live in peace and security. Everyone has the right to seek for themselves and their loved ones conditions that will ensure a safe life".

He said Poland has been opening its doors to newcomers from Ukraine for some time. They "live among us, work with us, pray in Polish churches and study in Polish schools".

Supporting Caritas Poland and their local parish Caritas agencies to help refugees is one way Poles can help.

Caritas is making plans to increase refugee support programmes "in case of further escalation of tension and military action", Gadecki explained.

Source

• National Catholic Reporter
• CNA
• CNA
• Image: BBC