In a public writing to the European Parliament, the Shrines of Europe support Ukraine\u2019s wish to join the EU. And in an open letter to Vladimir Putin, the association of the most important European Marian shrines appeals to the Russian president to immediately withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine: \u201cWe oppose Russia\u2019s assault on Ukraine and utterly condemn the devastating hostilities carried out by the Russian Federation. We mourn every life lost in this unequal struggle, we sympathise with the suffering of countless people and lament the destruction of the entire country. With all resoluteness we appeal for an immediate end to this inhumane war and the restoration of peace for Europe and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is the first time since the founding of the Shrines of Europe in 1996 that the international Marian community has publicly addressed leading political representatives and institutions.<\/p>\n
The Shrines of Europe are a municipal association of the European pilgrimage cities of Alt\u00f6tting (Germany), Cz\u0119stochowa (Poland), Einsiedeln (Switzerland), Lourdes (France), Loreto (Italy), F\u00e1tima\/Our\u00e9m (Portugal) and Mariazell (Austria). The organisation is actively committed to solidarity, democracy, peace, freedom and justice and is characterised by European identity, respect for equality and appreciation of all people \u2013 regardless of language, worldview, tradition or history.<\/p>\n
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