各位主內的姊妹弟兄，以及各界朋友們：

我們對俄羅斯近日向烏克蘭所發動的襲擊深感不安。雖然我們不得不承認國際政治的複雜性，但我們也不可能對平民失去生命和家園遭受摧毁而無動於衷。烏克蘭的老百姓對國土享到和平與安定的希望正因政治手段和軍事行動而破滅。

當我們在香港與新冠病毒所引致的第五波疫情作戰時，我們亦不能忽視另一場利己主義和霸權心態的流行病給我們世界所帶來的痛苦。我們是地球村的公民，我們的福祉實在是緊密相連的。讓我們為香港及世界各地受著這兩種「大流行」所打擊的民眾獻上真摯的禱告。

因此，我們必須呼求仁慈的上主深深地觸動有能力扭轉這一悲慘軌跡的人士的心，好能讓我們重拾對世界和平的希望。我們也祈願相關單位能盡早開始他們之間的坦誠對話。

請大家回應教宗方濟各為烏克蘭的和平向我們所作的祈禱禁食緊急呼籲。我們全心相信，集體的懇切祈禱能產生超乎人想像的效力。

最後，讓我們向居於香港的烏克蘭朋友及居於烏克蘭的香港人獻上祝福和支持。

+ 周守仁主教

香港

2022年2月25日

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, and Friends,

We are seriously disturbed by the attacks of Russia on Ukraine. While we acknowledge the complexity of international politics, we feel deeply saddened by the civilians’ loss of lives and homes. The military manoeuvres and the manipulation of political powers are shattering the Ukranians’ hope for peace and stability in their homeland.

While we are battling against the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, we cannot ignore the pains that another pandemic of egoism and hegemonic mentality is inflicting on our world. We are citizens of the global village, and our well-being is intimately intertwined. Let us offer our sincere prayers for those in Hong Kong and throughout the world who are struck by these two pandemics.

Hence, we must call on our merciful God to touch in-depth the hearts of the ones who have the power to revert this tragic trajectory to restore hope for peace in our world. And that empathic dialogues will start sooner among the parties involved.

Please take heed of the appeal of Pope Francis for us to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine. The power of earnest prayers en masse can achieve what is beyond human imagination.

Last but not least, let us render caring support and blessings to our Ukrainian friends residing in Hong Kong as well as our friends from Hong Kong residing in Ukraine.

+ Bishop Stephen Chow, S.J.

Hong Kong

25^th February 2022