The Bishop of Southwark has called on everyone to “pray for the people of Ukraine” after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country today.
“This act of aggression impacts very harmfully on a free, democratic European state and on all the nations of Europe,” said the Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun.
“I exhort you to pray for peace and justice for the people of Ukraine,” he added.
Fierce fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops has been reported across Ukraine, with Russia invading on several fronts before dawn.
There are reports of civilian casualties, while many Ukrainians are seeking shelter or trying to flee larger cities around the country.
The Bishop’s message was sent out across the Diocese of Southwark this morning, an area covering South London and East Surrey.
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It comes as the Archbishops of Canterbury and York released a joint statement saying: “The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil.”
“We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long term agreements for stability and lasting peace,” the pair continued.
Missiles have hit military targets across Ukraine and there has been heavy shelling in civilian areas.
About ten Ukrainian civilians are believed to have been killed, including six in an air strike in Brovary near the capital Kyiv, which is home to around three million people.
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said that more than 40 soldiers had died and dozens more were wounded. Ukraine said it had killed 50 Russian troops and shot down six Russian aircraft, but this has not been verified.
Neighbours Poland and Slovakia have set up hospitals on the border in anticipation of a large influx of refugees.
Bishop Christopher is coordinating an hour of prayer at 6.00 p.m. on Shrove Tuesday which may be joined on YouTube.
He has also requested prayers in churches on Sunday and commended Pope Francis’s call for a day of fasting and prayer on Ash Wednesday.