Sheffield faith leaders plan event at cathedral to remember those killed in Ukraine and call for peace UK News

The move was announced in a joint statement released by faith leaders in Sheffield including the Church of England, the Catholic Church and Jewish and Hindu groups, and will see people come together next week for remembrance and a call for peace.

The statement read: “The horrific events unfolding in Ukraine have drawn the attention and anger of all, including the faith communities of Sheffield and South Yorkshire. The following letter expresses our condemnation of this unprovoked invasion, our solidarity with Ukraine and our willingness to help.

“In particular, we will do our part to answer the call to generously welcome Ukrainians who come to the UK in search of refuge. We hope that as many people as possible can join us on Wednesday 30 March at 5pm in Sheffield Cathedral to remember those who died, call for peace and show our support for all Ukrainians.

“As leaders of faith communities in Sheffield, we join with so many others in condemning Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. It is an act of sheer wickedness. Likewise, we join with everyone who calls for peace there.

“In our own way, we all hold the people of Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers, and we want to see peace and justice in their country. In the meantime, we join others in demanding that those involved in the conflict allow humanitarian aid into Ukraine and the movement of people out.

“Nothing less can be accepted. We unite to call on world leaders to work actively to defuse and end this conflict. We pray for reason to prevail – and quickly so that the needless death and suffering inflicted on innocent people is avoided every day this conflict continues.

“In the UK, we join all those voices calling for Her Majesty’s Government to pursue policies that show a generous welcome for Ukrainian refugees seeking refuge here. As residents of Sheffield, a sanctuary city, our faith communities stand ready to do all they can to welcome and support those fleeing Ukraine, locally, nationally and even internationally.

“Together in faith, we will do all we can to promote compassion and see the path of peace prevail in the form of secure and long-term agreements that create justice, stability and harmony in Ukraine, in Russia, throughout Europe and around our interconnected world.

Thousands of people – soldiers on both sides and civilians – are believed to have already died in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

The statement comes from the Most Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield; the Venerable Malcolm Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield; Patsy Cunningham, Reformed Jewish Congregation of Sheffield and District; the Most Reverend Ralph Heskett, Bishop of Hallam; Reverend Gareth Jones, Methodist District of Sheffield; the Reverend Gill Newton, chairman of the Methodist district of Sheffield; Dr Vithal Patel, President of Sheffield Hindu Samaj; Mr. Howard Saffer, President of the Seven Hills Shul, Sheffield and District Reform Jewish Congregation; the Very Reverend Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral; Rabbi Yoinosson Golomb, United Synagogue Sheffield.