To
The ParishPriests / Priests-in-charge and all our Priests
Archdiocese of Bombay
My dear Fathers,
The war in Ukraine is still continuing fiercely and there is no sign of diminishing in the suffering and distress of the people, the loss of life, and colossal damage to basic infrastructure and essential services. The Holy Father has repeatedly made efforts for peace with calls to prayer, sending of envoys to different places, and appeals to cease all violence. I encourage all in the Archdiocese to join the Holy Father.in his prayers to bring peace to a world that is seeing more and more violence, and in this war that threatens to engulf other countries in a spiral or violence.
On the Feast of the Annunciation, Friday, March 25, 2022 Pope Francis has asked all Bishops to join him in an Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He invites all Bishops of the world to join him in this, if possible at the time when he makes the Act of Consecration at St. Peter's Basilica. That time corresponds to 9.30 p.m. IST
I am planning to have a half hour Adoration in the Cathedral at 9.30 p.m. which will be live streamed by our Archdiocesan Communication Office. I invite you to join me in this prayer service or if it is possible and convenient for you to have a prayer service in your Church. If 9.30 p.m. is late for your parishioners, you can have a half hour adoration after your evening Mass. I am expecting to receive the text of a Prayer Service from Rome which I will send you.
In this holy season of Lent let us make a consolidated effort with prayers for peace in Ukraine as a concerted campaign: praying, making acts of penance and showing care to the needy.
I wish each one of you many spiritual blessings. We continue to pray for each other especially at the time of Lent.
With kind regards and best wishes,
+Oswald Cardinal Gracias Archbishop of Bombay