Bishop Zubik joins Pope in calling for prayers for peace for Ukraine

With more and more signs indicating that Russia is on the verge of invading Ukraine, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik has joined Pope Francis in setting aside Wednesday as a day to pray for peace.

“I ask that prayers for peace be included in all Masses on Jan. 26,” said Zubik. “In addition, I call on all who can do so to pause for one minute at Noon in silent prayer for peace. May Mary, the mother of God to whom the Ukrainian people have deep devotion, hold them in her embrace of love, mercy and protection.”

Russia has maneuvered an over 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks while the U.S. has responded by ordering 8,500 troops on high alert for potential deployment to Europe.

“Pray that God may guide the work of the diplomats and change the hearts of those who seek domination and violence in a land that has already suffered inexpressible horrors over the past century,” said Zubik. “As Pope Francis reminds us, we must first and always work for peace, justice and reconciliation.”

Russia has invaded Ukraine before, most recently in 2014 when Russia seized control of the Crimean Peninsula.

Western Pennsylvania’s high Ukrainian American population has watched helplessly in recent weeks as Russian President Vladimir Putin seems poised to launch a similar attack.

Analysts say the Ukrainian government is caught between trying to calm the nation and ensuring it gets sufficient assistance from the West in case an invasion does happen, according to the Associated Press.

“Ukrainian authorities are trying to prevent destabilization and panic inside the country, hence the calming statements saying there is no threat of an imminent Russian invasion,” political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said in an AP story. “The Kremlin’s plans include undermining the situation inside Ukraine, fomenting hysteria and fear among Ukrainians, and the authorities in Kyiv find it increasingly difficult to contain this snowball.”