By Wanjira E Wachira
Worth Noting:
- Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association said that “the risk of nuclear war is much higher today than it was just a month ago.” Kimball worries NATO and Russian forces may come in close contact, and that could lead to an escalation or miscalculation.
- Meanwhile, the Vatican Observatory recently announced it has spotted a new object orbiting the Sun. A Jesuit priest made the discovery last December. Astronomer and Historian of Science with the Vatican Observatory, Chris Graney, joins to tell us more about the recent discovery, how the priest found it and why it could be so important. One museum in our nation’s capital is giving visitors a chance this Lent to stand in front of an image of the Shroud of Turin. On Saturday, the Museum of the Bible opened their Mystery and Faith: Shroud of Turin exhibit.
If The war in Ukrainian is worrying and daily increasing. In Ukraine, tension and fear remain after Russia launched a full scale attack. Citizens are now leaving Ukraine with many going to neighboring Poland.
So the action of the pope late last week, for Catholics, is significant. Profound. Pope Francis, suffering from acute knee pain that’s forced him to cancel all major engagements lately , travelled to the Russian Embassy in the Vatican. The Pope went, in his role as the Vicar of Christ, the Steward of the Kingdom of God, to ask the Russian ambassador to stop the attack against Ukraine. To advocate for peace.
In a move unprecedented in modern history the Pope came to the door of the Russian state and told them they must stop the atrocities. The Vicar of Christ, on Earth, with the weight of us 1.2 billion Catholics, united in prayer, comes to seek peace at the door of the aggressor.
And what’s more? The Pope has asked all, the 1.2 billion Catholics on earth, to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine this Ash Wednesday. On one of the most solemn days of the Church’s year, at the start of the penitential season of Lent, they unite their mourning and fasting and prayers with the Vicar of Christ, the people of Ukraine, and the Catholics of the world.
“ I renew my invitation for everyone to take part on 2 March, Ash Wednesday, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in #Ukraine, in order to be near to the suffering Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war, pope Francis quoted on his official Twitter account.
“And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting.”
Ash Wednesday is an important day for Catholic believers. Palm used on the previous year are burned and the ash from it used to draw the sign of the cross on believers forehead. This is a norm way of welcoming them to the lent period, which is also an important period that takes place every year.
As the people of Ukraine defend their homes, as the Pope knocks on the ambassador’s door, we come too, to defend, to advocate, to pray to Christ Our Lord: have mercy.
EWTN Manager of Eastern and Central Europe, Iwo Bender, joins from Poland to share how the Catholic Church in Poland is helping the nearly 30,000 Ukrainians that have crossed into the country.
Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association said that “the risk of nuclear war is much higher today than it was just a month ago.” Kimball worries NATO and Russian forces may come in close contact, and that could lead to an escalation or miscalculation.
Meanwhile, the Vatican Observatory recently announced it has spotted a new object orbiting the Sun. A Jesuit priest made the discovery last December. Astronomer and Historian of Science with the Vatican Observatory, Chris Graney, joins to tell us more about the recent discovery, how the priest found it and why it could be so important. One museum in our nation’s capital is giving visitors a chance this Lent to stand in front of an image of the Shroud of Turin. On Saturday, the Museum of the Bible opened their Mystery and Faith: Shroud of Turin exhibit.
Why is Vatican call important?
Catholics believe that when Christ founded a church he appointed twelve apostles and left them in charge; they, in turn, appointed successors down through to today. They believe, likewise, that when Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the power to bind and loose in words echoing from the Old Testament that he was, in a special way, anointing him with a particular power. The power to represent Christ on earth: his Vicar, his chief steward, his earthly representative.