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€3.25m raised by Catholic Church for Ukraine response

The proceeds of the collection are going to the international Catholic Church agency, Caritas Internationalis
The proceeds of the collection are going to the international Catholic Church agency, Caritas Internationalis

Around €3.25m has been raised in special parish collections by the Catholic Church in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

In response to the invasion by Russia in February, the Bishops of Ireland asked for collections to be held.

They took place mainly on the weekend of 26 March and 27 March.

The funds will be "channelled to assist those who are suffering such devastation to their lives and livelihoods," according to Catholic Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin.

Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop Dermot Farrell, who are President and Vice-President of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference respectively, expressed their gratitude to parishes for their enormous generosity and compassion.

In a statement, they said it was also heartening that some parish communities had established direct links with Ukrainian parishes and local charitable projects to support refugees and those remaining in Ukraine.

Archbishop Eamon Martin

The proceeds of the collection are going to the international Catholic Church agency, Caritas Internationalis, which is currently operating on the ground in Ukraine and its surrounding areas.

Archbishop Martin and Archbishop Farrell also noted that this week, seven people, including two Caritas staff, were killed when a Caritas office in Mariupol was shelled.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell

"We wish to acknowledge the bravery of humanitarian workers who risk their lives in providing much needed assistance and protection to innocent people who have been caught up in this war," they said.

"We extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to their families, friends and fellow humanitarian workers."