Press Release

For Immediate Release – February 28, 2022

Statement on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) is both dismayed and horrified to learn of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

This illegal invasion has already resulted in needless violence, displacement, and death. The conflict is escalating quickly resulting in further casualties and destruction. At this dire hour, the ACCUC stands with the people of Ukraine and offers our prayers for an immediate resolution to this conflict. We call upon the Russian government to cease its incursion into Ukraine and return to Russian territory forthwith. We also call upon both parties to meet at the negotiation table and discuss a peaceful solution in the spirit of good faith. It is our prayer that a resolution be achieved that will preserve human life and dignity.

In the Beatitudes, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, taught that those who promote peace are truly the children of God. We must all be children of God by turning away from violence and war. We invoke St. Francis of Assisi by asking him to pray to God so that all people are made instruments of peace.

About Us
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) is an organization of Roman Catholic postsecondary academic institutions located across Canada. The ACCUC acts as the official voice for Catholic higher learning in Canada, as it seeks to spread “the spirit of learning” throughout the country.

Sincerely,

Peter M. Meehan, PhD

Chair, ACCUC
President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Jerome’s University
University of Waterloo

John Cappucci, Ph.D.

Vice-Chair, ACCUC
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Assumption University
University of Windsor

Christopher Adams

Immediate Past Chair, ACCUC
Rector
St. Paul’s College, Winnipeg

Chantal Beauvais, PhD

Rectrice
Université Saint Paul/Saint Paul University
University of Ottawa

Shawn Flynn, Ph.D.

President
St. Joseph’s College
Edmonton

Lauretta Frederking, Ph.D.

President
Brescia University College
London

Sami Helewa, S.J.

President
Campion College
University of Regina

Michael Higgins, Ph.D.

Principal
St. Mark’s College
Vancouver
President
Corpus Christi College
Vancouver

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick

CCCB Liaison to ACCUC
Bishop of Antigonish

David Malloy, Ph.D.

Principal
King’s University College
Western University

Dawn Russell, Q.C.

President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Thomas University
Fredericton
New Brunswick

Carl Still, Ph.D.

President
St. Thomas More College
University of Saskatchewan

David Sylvester, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor
University of St. Michael’s College
University of Toronto

Gerry Turcotte, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Mary’s University
Calgary

Jason West, Ph.D.

President
Newman Theological College
Edmonton

Thomas Worcester, SJ

President
Regis College
Toronto School of Theology

Communiqué de presse

Pour publication immédiate – 28 février 2022

Déclaration sur l'invasion de l'Ukraine par la Russie

L’Association des collèges et universités catholiques du Canada (ACCUC) est à la fois consternée et horrifiée d’apprendre l’invasion non provoquée de l’Ukraine par la Russie.

Cette invasion illégale a déjà entraîné des violences, des déplacements et des morts inutiles. Le conflit s’intensifie rapidement, entraînant d’autres pertes et destructions. En cette heure funeste, l’ACCUC se tient aux côtés du peuple ukrainien et offre ses prières pour une résolution immédiate de ce conflit. Nous demandons au gouvernement russe de cesser son incursion en Ukraine et de retourner immédiatement en territoire russe. Nous demandons également aux deux parties de se réunir à la table des négociations et de discuter d’une solution pacifique dans un esprit de bonne foi. Nous prions pour que soit trouvée une solution qui préserve la vie et la dignité humaines.

Dans les Béatitudes, Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, le Prince de la Paix, a enseigné que ceux qui promeuvent la paix sont véritablement les enfants de Dieu. Nous devons tous être des enfants de Dieu en nous détournant de la violence et de la guerre. Nous invoquons saint François d’Assise en lui demandant de prier Dieu pour que tous les hommes deviennent des instruments de paix.

A propos de nous
L’Association des collèges et universités catholiques du Canada (ACCUC) est une organisation d’établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire catholiques romains situés partout au Canada. L’ACCUC est la voix officielle de l’enseignement supérieur catholique au Canada, car elle cherche à répandre ” l’esprit d’apprentissage ” dans tout le pays.

Salutations distinguées,

Peter M. Meehan, PhD

Chair, ACCUC
President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Jerome’s University
University of Waterloo

John Cappucci, Ph.D.

Vice-Chair, ACCUC
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Assumption University
University of Windsor

Christopher Adams

Immediate Past Chair, ACCUC
Rector
St. Paul’s College, Winnipeg

Chantal Beauvais, PhD

Rectrice
Université Saint Paul/Saint Paul University
University of Ottawa

Shawn Flynn, Ph.D.

President
St. Joseph’s College
Edmonton

Lauretta Frederking, Ph.D.

President
Brescia University College
London

Sami Helewa, S.J.

President
Campion College
University of Regina

Michael Higgins, Ph.D.

Principal
St. Mark’s College
Vancouver
President
Corpus Christi College
Vancouver

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick

CCCB Liaison to ACCUC
Bishop of Antigonish

David Malloy, Ph.D.

Principal
King’s University College
Western University

Dawn Russell, Q.C.

President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Thomas University
Fredericton
New Brunswick

Carl Still, Ph.D.

President
St. Thomas More College
University of Saskatchewan

David Sylvester, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor
University of St. Michael’s College
University of Toronto

Gerry Turcotte, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor
St. Mary’s University
Calgary

Jason West, Ph.D.

President
Newman Theological College
Edmonton

Thomas Worcester, SJ

President
Regis College
Toronto School of Theology