St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh hosted an ecumenical prayer service for peace in Ukraine last night (Friday 24 February), writes Corrie Young.

Archbishop Leo Cushley was joined by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London, the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, and Bishop John Armes of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

From left: Bishop John Armes, Robert Aldridge, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski and Archbishop Leo Cushley.

Archbishop Cushley said: “This is not political. This is about coming to the house of God and bowing our heads before Almighty God and asking him to spare his people, to grant us a peace that we are unable it seems to give ourselves, to do that with humility.

Archbishop Cushley gives a blessing at the prayer service.

“I was delighted and honoured that so many distinguished people were able to join us like the Moderator, the Lord Provost, the Bishop of Edinburgh, and above all the Catholic Ukrainian Eparch.”

Bishop Nowakowski described the event as "a time of great emotion".

Bishop Nowakowski said: “This evening was a time of great emotion for us to be able to pray together with Archbishop Leo and all of the other faith and civic leaders.

I continue to thank God for the wonderful people of Scotland and for the openness that especially the Catholics have shown to these people here in in Scotland who have fled.

"I think when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, we prayed as one big family. The Scottish people have shown solidarity, generosity, and kindness.

“It's been a horrific year of atrocities but the Ukrainian people are very resilient. They are not just fighting for their own existence, they're fighting for Europe, for democracy, and for freedom.

“For me personally, I cannot be more grateful than I am. I continue to thank God for the wonderful people of Scotland and for the openness that especially the Catholics have shown to these people here in in Scotland who have fled.”

The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields said: “We’re here because we felt we had to be here to stand with the people of Ukraine and pray for the people of Ukraine to let them know that we are constantly thinking about them in our prayers.

"We are praying for this awful experience to end.

“The atmosphere this evening was humbling. A real, deep sense of God’s peace and presence there tonight. It was beautiful.”

 

Images: Paul McSherry.