Statement by the SACRU Governing Board on Ukraine

 

The Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU) strongly condemns the invasion perpetrated by the Russian Federation on Ukraine that represents a brutal aggression to Ukraine’s sovereign territory, to its innocent people, and to the Ukrainian government officially recognized by the International Community.

The Russian trespassing on Ukrainian soil poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the European continent and the whole world; it is also against international law and a grave breach of human rights and the rule of law.

We believe that war and violence are never the solution and that the only way to solve problems is to dialogue in a constructive spirit. For this reason, we urge all the parties involved to seek a diplomatic solution that is satisfactory to all.

The Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities is an international network of eight catholic universities across four continents. It was founded in 2019 to promote the enhancement of the Common Good and a sense of solidarity and global collaboration informed by Catholic social teaching. The Alliance cannot ignore how the unjustified invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is against its peaceful mission of stretching the academic cooperation in teaching and research for the Common Good.

SACRU wants to express its support to the Ukrainian people and particularly to the academic communities of Ukraine. As the Holy Father Pope Francis said during his Angelus on February 27th, 2022, who starts a war “distance themselves from ordinary people, who want peace, and who – the ordinary people – are the real victims in every conflict, who pay for the follies of war with their own skin.” The Alliance deeply feels the several appeals for peace of the Holy Father and wishes an immediate cessation of military operations to avoid further human suffering.

 

Prof. Josep Maria Garrell

SACRU President