SW News: Expressing filial communion with the Bishop of Rome and solidarity with beleaguered Ukrainians, the Episcopal conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) have decided to join Pope Francis in the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In a statement issued by Archbishop Jorge Eduardo Lozano of San Juan de Cuyo in Argentina, who is the secretary-general of CELAM, the prelates expressed great happiness over the March 15 announcement of the Holy See regarding the upcoming consecration.

Reiterating their communion with the Holy Father, the bishops said, “We unite once again with the intentions of the Holy Father.” All 22 Episcopal conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean will perform the consecration in unison with the pope.

The bishops said that they will exhort their priests, parish communities, religious houses and organizations to make the act of consecration along with the pope who will lead the ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, during a Penitential Service.

In the statement issued by the prelates, they expressed their prayer and solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. “We embrace  our brothers and most vulnerable sisters and victims of violent and fratricidal actions with the certainty that God is love and he who remains in love remains in God.” (1 John 4:16)