Bishop Stika to offer prayer, consecration of Russia and Ukraine on Friday
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March 21, 2022Bishop Richard F. Stika will join Pope Francis and bishops and priests around the world later this week in the consecration and entrustment of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Bishop Stika will offer the act during noon Mass on Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.
Bishop Stika's Mass and prayers will occur the same time Pope Francis leads the act at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
“I have asked priests of the Diocese of Knoxville to join the Holy Father and me in this call for peace,” Bishop Stika said. “The violence we have seen in Ukraine, against innocent people, is evil. We pray that it ends soon.”
Bishop Stika received notification of the Holy Father’s request in a March 17 letter from Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.
In his Sunday address on March 20, Pope Francis referred to the violence in Ukraine as “a senseless massacre” for which there is no justification.”
Friday’s noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be streamed live and can be seen on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel.
Read the Act of Consecration in English
