Belleville Church ‘Praying’ For Ukraine On Ash Wednesday

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Multiple religious leaders and parishes in Essex County, including Belleville, continue to call for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Saint Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Belleville is including a call to prayer for the Ukraine as part of its Ash Wednesday services on March 2.

“Let us offer our prayers, fasting and penances for the end of the war in Ukraine,” an event flyer reads.

Belleville Councilman Steven Rovell said he will be attending the 6 p.m. Mass at the church.

“The recent attacks on Ukraine no doubt affect us all,” Rovell wrote in a social media post. “It serves as a reminder of how thankful we all should be to live in a country so free from the threat of tyranny and oppression.”

Rovell continued:

“Pope Francis has called on us of every faith to keep Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers as they fight so bravely to defend democracy and their homeland. On Ash Wednesday, I will be attending the 6 p.m. Mass at St. Peter’s Church in Belleville to pray for the safety of Ukraine. I ask you all to join me within your own capacity throughout the day to pray, regardless of your faith, for the protection of Ukraine. May God Bless the great people of Ukraine and protect their country.”

Last week, Cardinal Joseph Tobin – who serves at the head of the Archdiocese of Newark – put out a call to prayer for those who “long for peace” in Ukraine.

“We must always reject war as a political solution and pursue honest and respectful dialogue among nations as the only way forward," Tobin said.

• Read More: NJ Cardinal On Ukraine-Russia: 'Reject War As Political Solution'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen global condemnation after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The military conflict has already cost at least 102 civilian lives, with the true figure feared to be even higher, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Monday.

The invasion of Ukraine followed a series of failed diplomatic efforts, NPR reported. It marks the largest military attack of one state against another on the European continent since the Second World War, Fox News stated.

• Read More: Nutley Glows Blue, Yellow In Solidarity With Ukraine
• Read More: Pro Athlete From Newark Flees Ukraine After Russian Invasion, Report Says

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