Bitter divisions in New Zealand’s Russian community have led to hate speech and death threats, with many now afraid to speak out against Putin even though they don’t support the Russian president’s invasion of Ukraine. The animosity has deepened to the point where police and the Race Relations Commissioner have become involved. Commissioner Meng Foon Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Russia-Ukraine conflict’
Russian Kiwis who oppose Ukraine war targeted by death threats and hate speech
Thursday, July 14th, 2022Francis cancels meeting with Kirill. No visit to Kyiv
Thursday, April 28th, 2022
A meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow planned for June has been cancelled out of concern it could cause “confusion”. And there will be no papal visit to Kyiv while war rages, Pope Francis said in an interview with the Argentine daily newspaper La Nación on 21 April. Pope Francis Read more
Zelenskyy welcomes Vatican mediation in war
Thursday, March 24th, 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the Vatican’s role in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has impacted the Eastern European country for more than four weeks. “The mediating role of the Holy See in ending human suffering would be appreciated,” President Zelenskyy wrote, adding that he thanked the pope “for the prayers for Ukraine and Read more
Food crisis looming because of the war in Ukraine
Thursday, March 24th, 2022EU sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine are driving up fertiliser prices, leading to what one CEO said is going to be a food crisis. “We are going to have a food crisis. It’s a question of how large,” said Svein Tore Holsether, the CEO of major fertiliser producer Yara International, the Wall Read more
Ukraine parish becomes reception centre for refugees
Thursday, March 24th, 2022A parish in western Ukraine has transformed itself into a reception centre for hundreds of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict that has created Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. In the first three weeks since Ukraine’s invasion by Russian forces on 24 February, “about 2,000 people have passed through our church,” Fr Grzegorz Read more
The pope’s “Hail Mary” pass
Monday, March 21st, 2022
Russia’s brutal military attack on Ukraine continues. And with each passing day Pope Francis appears more and more frustrated that he and his Vatican aides can do nothing to stop it. No doubt, they are even more irritated that their continuous offers to mediate or facilitate discussions between the two countries, which the Cardinal Secretary Read more
Russian Orthodox priest fined for condemning war in Ukraine
Monday, March 21st, 2022A Russian Orthodox priest has been fined for condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stressing the importance of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” The Rev. Ioann Burdin, of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Kostroma Diocese north-east of Moscow, made his remarks both online and in his sermon to parishioners on Sunday March 6. Police then called Read more
Ukranian schoolgirl from St Joe’s joins anti-war protest
Thursday, March 17th, 2022
A 12-year old Ukranian schoolgirl has joined a Hamilton-based anti-war protest movement. Emilia Shyra (12) and her father, Yuriy Shyryy (pictured), joined many others from Ukraine and Waikato’s European community at Saturday’s protest in front of Hamilton’s council building. “My father is holding a sign that says ‘Stand with Ukraine’ and this is why I Read more
Vatican diplomat says Russia has ‘noted’ offer of mediation in Ukraine war
Thursday, March 17th, 2022According to the Vatican’s top diplomat, Russia has “taken note” of the Holy See’s willingness to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine to end the war, but has made no sign of wanting to take up the offer. The Holy See is “ready” to help mediate, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Read more
Meeting the victims of war has an ‘impact on the gut’
Monday, March 14th, 2022
While it is important to follow news reports about the war in Ukraine, meeting victims of that war “has an impact on the gut”, says a leading Catholic cardinal. “The impact on your eyes when you see (through the media) the bombing and the destruction and the blood and all that” is one of outrage, Read more