UKRAINE: Church leaders thank charity for ‘helping to save lives’
Church leaders in Ukraine have expressed their gratitude to a leading Catholic charity for the vital emergency and pastoral aid received over almost three years of war.
In his Christmas message to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said: “Thank you for helping us to save human lives in Ukraine.”
Roman Catholic Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv told ACN that he was thankful to the charity’s benefactors for all their help during the war and invited them to “continue to pray and help our priests and religious who work with the people in this difficult period”.
Archbishop Mokrzycki, who served as personal secretary to Pope Saint John Paul II for nine years and to Pope Benedict XVI for three years, added: “We also ask [ACN benefactors] that they pray for this war to end as soon as possible.”
Bishop Eduard Kava, Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Lviv, said that the Archdiocese was especially grateful for the charity’s support for youth formation.
He added: “Just now, in our pastoral centre near Lviv, we are holding a celebration for young people, where they pray together and train to serve in the Church.
“In this period of Advent I wish you a Merry Christmas, with all of God’s blessings.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.”
The Church leaders highlighted that fresh challenges have continued arising throughout the many months of war – such as a shortage of basic necessities in many regions and an increase in psychological trauma among the population.
Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, told ACN: “In areas like Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odessa people lack even the most essential – bread, water, heating and electricity.
“In other regions, the most important is help with welcoming refugees.
“And, of course, I would say the psychological assistance for everybody – not only the military and families – including priests, religious, volunteers [is important] because three years of war have produced a lot of difficulties at the psychological level.”
The nuncio added that even though material help remains very important, there is also a great need for spiritual assistance during Advent and the Christmas season.
He said: “I would insist once again on the spiritual role of the Church – on the proclamation of the Gospel, not only our spiritual programmes, but as well on our spiritual energy in bringing the Gospel, in bringing the joy of Christ to everybody.”
The nuncio added: “Thank you for all you do. Thank you.”
With thanks to Lucia Ballester