Bishop Of Metuchen To Join Pope In Consecration Of Ukraine

METUCHEN, NJ — Pope Francis will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, and joining him in prayer will be Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen.

Checchio will offer mass at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, in solidarity with the Pontiff who will consecrate Ukraine and Russia at the same time in Rome.

“These past few weeks certainly have been somber and sobering, especially as we hear the stories and see the photos and video footage of families being divided by war, with children and their mothers fleeing from bombs and bullets,” Checchio said in a statement. “My heart aches for them, knowing all they have lost and watching as they face the uncertainty of their future.”

Pope Francis first announced his intention to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 15. Three days later he invited Catholic bishops worldwide to join him in the consecration. The same act is expected to be performed by bishops around the globe on the same day and same time.

“When I first learned of the Holy Father’s intention to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to our Blessed Mother, I immediately thought of the Ukrainian children living in the midst of air raid sirens and ceaseless gunfire and how their parents, particularly their mothers, must be doing all they can to comfort them and keep them safe,” Checchio said. “This is what our Blessed Mother does for us too. Through this act of consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are turning to Mary, our Blessed Mother, seeking her tender mercy and compassionate care and asking for her intercession.”

Earlier this month, Checchio participated in a Divine Liturgy held at Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, in Perth Amboy, and invited parishes in the diocese to participate in a special Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. The collection will go towards providing assistance to the victims of war in Ukraine and other projects in the region, especially with refugees entering Poland and other countries.

To support the collection you can donate online by visiting: diometuchen.org/Ukraine.

To attend the consecration in Metuchen, faithful can participate in-person or through the cathedral’s livestream: www.stfranciscathedral.org.

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