February 23, 2022

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - Pope Francis has called for people to fast for peace on March 2, Ash Wednesday, amid mounting tensions in Ukraine and the threat of war. The pope said, quote, “I would like all those who have the political responsibility to make a serious examination of conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war … He wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all parties involved will refrain from any action that will cause even more suffering for people, destabilizing coexistence among nations and undermining international law.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250456/ukraine-crisis-pope-francis-calls-for-global-day-of-fasting-for-peace-on-ash-wednesday The leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said on Tuesday that “all of humanity has been placed in danger” by Russia’s decision to recognize the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk as independent entities. Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk denounced Russia’s move as creating, quote, “serious challenges and threats for the entire international community and for international law.” Shevchuk appealed to people of goodwill “not ignore the suffering of the Ukrainian people, brought on by Russian military aggression.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250457/major-archbishop-russia-s-east-ukraine-move-places-all-of-humanity-in-danger Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta has denied all charges of alleged sexual abuse of two former seminarians, during the first hearing of his civil trial. The Argentine bishop was, in 2017, appointed by Pope Francis to a specially created position overseeing the Vatican’s real estate holdings and other sovereign assets. In addition to the charges of sexual abuse, Bishop Zanchetta has been charged with financial misconduct. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250452/bishop