Primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Most Rev Dr Maimbo Mndolwa has placed the Anglican Communion's UN representative group in solidarity with United Nations’ calls to end the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

Archbishop Maimbo steers the oversight group that guides the Anglican Communion’s United Nations work through its Permanent Representative to the UN, Jack Palmer-White.

Today Archbishop Maimbo backed the UN General Assembly resolution signed last week by 141 of the UN's 193 member countries, which demands an end to hostilities in Ukraine and reaffirms Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. 

The UN resolution demands that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” 

“As the world watches the terrible situation unfolding in Ukraine, I welcome the action taken at both the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council last week.” said Archbishop Maimbo.

“Both bodies have spoken unequivocally of the need to end hostilities now with an urgent ceasefire, support the immediate needs of those affected by the conflict, and work together to support the resolution of the conflict.”

Archbishop Maimbo also voiced the Communion’s concern that countries and churches take urgent action to support the more than one million people who have been displaced from their homes, particularly children, the elderly and those most vulnerable.

“I urge all UN Member States to do what they can to support the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in their vital work caring for those forced to flee.” he said.

“As Christians, we find comfort in the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel when he says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.’ May each of us do what we can to live out this call to be people of peace and to share the peace of Christ with our neighbours.” 

The Communion’s UN representative Mr Palmer-White reminded the Anglican Communion's UN representaive oversight group that our churches are present in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine; as well as in many of the countries which border it.

He told ACNS that the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe has joined forces with Anglican Mission agency USPG to launch an emergency appeal in support of Christian charities and churches carrying out humanitarian work both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. 

“The Diocese in Europe and USPG have partners on the ground providing food, medicine, shelter, care for children and people internally displaced in Ukraine. With refugees they are supplying care at the border and beyond, including attention to those from Africa and Asia as well as Ukrainians who are fleeing the war.”

Launching the appeal, the Church of England’s Bishop in Europe, the Right Revd Robert Innes, said: “War is horrible. It injures, destroys and kills in an often indiscriminate and uncontrollable way. And now, we face war in Europe.

“The people of our little church, Christ Church Kyiv, find themselves in the midst of this crisis. They are typical of so many others. Some have fled the city whilst others are still there; praying for their safety and for peace as they shelter as best they can. These people are our brothers and sisters. Those still in Ukraine and those who have fled need our help.” 

Anglicans around the world can support the USPG/ Diocese of Europe appeal online via uspg.org/ukraine, or in Aotearoa New Zealand Christians can support the appeal for Christian organisations working on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding nations, through the Christian World Service Ukraine Crisis Appeal. (Donations to CWS are tax deductible in NZ).