EUROPE/ITALY - The fifth peace caravan towards Ukraine is underway: "We are not resigned to war"

Wednesday, 29 March 2023 peace   wars   civil society  

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - On Palm Sunday, which in the Christian, Catholic and Orthodox tradition has a strong symbolic meaning of peace, the volunteers of the fifth peace caravan "Stopthewarnow" will spend it in Ukraine, alongside the local communities. One year after the first mission organized on Ukrainian soil, and after having organized four humanitarian trips in one year, the "Stopthewarnow" network strongly reiterates: "We are not resigned to war". That is why a caravan of vehicles and 150 participants will be in Ukraine again from March 30 to April 3. The network is coordinated by the "Pope John XXIII Community" and the national networks FOCSIV, AOI (International Cooperation and Solidarity), "Italian Peace and Disarmament Network", "Libera against mafias", representing about 180 member associations, including many from the Catholic world.
"We cannot accept that the only word remains that of weapons, with their destruction, suffering and deaths. So many deaths. We do not resign ourselves to war and that is why, along with basic necessities, we will deliver palms to the inhabitants of Odessa, Mykolaiv, Cherson and other cities and lay olive branches on the graves of the victims of this madness", the network informs.
"We do not resign ourselves to war - continues the message presenting the initiative - and, beyond words, we continue to put our bodies into it. We are aware that we are not participating in a decisive intervention. We simply ask not to contribute to inflicting more pain The results of those who have chosen the path of the use of force are there for all to see and in the tears of the victims. We are not resigned to war and we want to continue to say it with our presence".
With about 25 vehicles loaded with aid, the participants will meet tomorrow, March 30, in Padua, with a load of humanitarian aid to be donated to the Ukrainian population, including several electricity generators (one for the hospital in Odessa, purchased also thanks to the contribution of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi). "But the most important load - says Gianpiero Cofano, representative of the Pope John XXIII Community and one of the organizers of the initiative - is that of peace, humanity and friendship, with a shred of courage". (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 29/3/2023)


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