Laudato Si’ Movement statement on Ukraine

Laudato Si’ Movement joins Pope Francis and the global Catholic Church in praying for a peaceful and swift resolution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This movement is active in Ukraine, with passionate staff and volunteers there working every day to inspire Catholics and care for our common home. We unite in solidarity with them, and with all of the people of Ukraine.

As a Catholic organization, we are people of faith and people of peace, and we urge the international community to unite in the face of Russian aggression and achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. We call on world leaders to find creative solutions that end the invasion without escalating the violence.

And, in line with the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, we strongly condemn the unprovoked actions of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, which have killed thousands and spawned a refugee crisis not seen in Europe for nearly a century.

As Pope Francis has said, “The ultimate and most deeply worthy goal of human beings and of the human community is the abolition of war.”

Furthermore, we pray for our sisters and brothers throughout the country, that they may feel the support of the millions of people who are holding them in their thoughts and prayers.

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis denounces war and laments its effect on all members of God’s creation. “War always does grave harm to the environment and to the cultural riches of peoples, risks which are magnified when one considers nuclear arms and biological weapons” (LS 57).

Our roots in Laudato Si’ also help us see that “everything is connected” (LS 91). We encourage all to consider the role of fossil fuels in driving the war in Ukraine. Fossil fuel revenue accounts for a significant portion of Russia’s budget. Purchases of Russia’s fossil fuel exports are funding the war in Ukraine while also harming all of creation. This is incompatible with our faith. 

Scriptures and the Magisterium of the Church teach us to honor the Creator and to avoid fossil fuels and the ecological damage they cause. “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15).

We join Pope Francis in urging all people to turn to the “God of peace and not of war,” and, as Pope Francis has requested, we will join Catholics everywhere in a Day of Fasting for Peace on Ash Wednesday, 2 March.

Finally, we ask you to join us in prayer, using this adaptation from Pope John Paul II’s “Hear My Voice, Lord for Justice and Peace.”

To you, Creator of nature and humanity,
of truth and beauty, I pray:

Hear our voice,
for it is the voice
of the victims of the war and violence
currently happening in Ukraine.

Hear our voice,
for it is the voice
of all children who suffer and who will suffer
when people put their faith in weapons and war.

Hear our voice
when I beg you to instill
into the hearts of all human beings
the vision of peace,
the strength of justice
and the joy of fellowship.

Hear our voice,
for we speak for the multitudes
in every country and in every period
of history who do not want war
and are ready to walk the road of peace.

Hear our voice
and grant insight and strength
so that we may always respond
to hatred with love,
to injustice with total dedication to justice,
to need with the sharing of self,
to war with peace.
O God, hear our voice