Derry's 'Angel' Roma praying for Ukraine

Renowned Derry actress and film producer, Roma Downey, is 'praying for Ukraine.'

Roma, who became a household name following her starring role in the hit US TV series, Touched by an Angel, lives in America with husband, fellow producer Mark Burnett.

In a post on social media, she revealed she has donated funds for humanitarian aid.

She said: “I had planned to sleep in today but I woke before the sun, went downstairs and made a cup of tea and then went and sat outside listening to the waves and the early birds waiting for the sun to rise.

“Just me and my dogs alone in the dark. Praying. Praying for Ukraine.

“It’s so horrific what’s happening over there and I feel so helpless.

“I am not a soldier, I am not a politician. I don’t know how to make a difference over there. I have donated through a fund created by @milalkunis @aplusk to offer humanitarian aid and in addition to that I pray .

“I don’t have any answers just a heart full of sadness.

“I feel helpless but I trust in God and I beg the Lord to send His angels to wrap their warrior wings around the people of Ukraine. Please God, help them, please.”

Meanwhile, the Derry-born Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has urged people to pray for peace in the region.'

He said: “The people of Ireland are well aware that we can never take peace for granted.  We must always continue work for peace, to pray for peace and to make sacrifices for peace.

“The scenes from  Ukraine  are distressing and frightening. They remind us how fragile peace in the world is. One of the awful things about war is the way that it suddenly destroys everything in its path.  It disrupts normal life and overnight introduces death, destruction, violence, fear, sorrow and grief.

Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin

“Watching our screens from Ireland we feel powerless to help.  Our hearts and our prayers go out to the people of Ukraine who didn’t ask for this war, and who simply wanted to be left to get on with their lives, their jobs and with bringing up their families.  Now they must hide, shelter, and even run for safety to protect themselves and their children.

“We can never take peace for granted.  We must always work for peace, pray for peace and make sacrifices for peace. All of us have the capacity to build peace by our words, our actions and our attitudes to others.

"We choose to sow peace or conflict, love or hate, to build up, or to tear down, to heal or to hurt, to forgive or to resent, to soothe or to inflame.

The current situation in Ukraine appears to be motivated, at least in part, by abuse of power and by the desire to control and dominate.  

It is alarming to think that despite the lessons learned last century in Europe about the horrors of war, that our continent could so easily be plunged back into chaos and uncertainty.

“Pope Francis asked that Catholics all over the world pray and fast for peace on, Ash Wednesday.  I encourage you to keep the Ash Wednesday fast, to take just one main meal on Wednesday and two small snacks; to abstain from meat and to consider also abstaining from alcohol.

"Make some extra sacrifice this Lent and offer it up for peace in Ukraine.”

He concluded: “Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them.”

Concern Worldwide Derry Group are operating a pop up donations desk on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee  Ukraine Appeal in the Millennium Forum from 10.00am to 5.00pm until this Saturday.

Donations can also be made at the Concern bookshop, Ferryquay Street, Derry or online.

Meanwhile, local pharmacy group Gordons Chemists has pledged £10,000 to aid humanitarian work in Ukraine.

General manager John Clark said the money was being donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist with their ongoing humanitarian aid efforts.

He added: “Like millions around the world, we have been horrified to see the situation in Ukraine unfold.

“The pictures on our televisions are a far cry from the city of Kyiv that I visited with my family only a few years ago. Our hearts go out to those affected in Ukraine and those in Northern Ireland with family members there.”

“Since the start of the Russian invasion we have seen overwhelming generosity from the public donating clothes and toiletries. As a pharmacy chain we cannot directly send medicines and we have chosen a monetary pledge to ensure the benefits are directed where needed, as quickly as possible.”

“We hope that this donation will help ICRC to provide the medicines and assistance to those Ukrainians most affected by these tragic events.”