Roma, 23 March 2022
Dear brothers,

It is disheartening to see humanity bleeding terribly on the surface of our planet in many places especially now in the soil of Ukraine. Our hopes for a just and fraternal world (Fratelli tutti) are shattered by barbaric invasions and armed conflicts typical of previous epochs happening even in this 21st century. In the political scenario in which guns speak and economic interests play the game of war and peace, evil is given unlimited permission to destroy all that is precious to human life. It is heartbreaking to see the war scenario of Ukraine and all the atrocities that are taking place there.

Behind every human life hurt or destroyed, there are broken hearts of mothers, dads, wives, husbands, children, and friends, and the tears flowing from their eyes rise up to God, the Father of all, for help. Together with them, we plead to the Lord of mercy to come to our aid and rescue humanity from going insane and continuing on the path of war and associated crimes. Every life is precious and sacred, be it Ukrainian, Russian, or any other. War is evil and it is not a means to address conflicts and differences among humans.

We turn to heaven for light and love for humanity to walk the path of peace, fraternity, and dialogue. Pope Francis is consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 25th March 2022. As sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we unite ourselves to the Holy Father in this act of consecration and pray for peace in the world.

I invite all our communities to join the Holy Father to pray for world peace through this act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary so that the world learns to weave its mutual relationships with the tenderness of God’s love for humans.

I am glad that the Claretian family makes efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by war and calamities, and I encourage you to continue them in the spirit of our Founder. Let us join the efforts of all people of goodwill in realizing the dream of God for humans, a fraternal and just world, where “swords are beaten into plowshares, and thee spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Is 2: 4).

Fraternally,

Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF
Superior General