CHURCH

Church in Ukraine grateful for Pope's frequent appeals and considerations

“No other religious leader has made so many public statements in defence of Ukrainians and Ukraine as Pope Francis", who has also dispatched humanitarian aid to those in need in the war-ravaged nation. Marking the 10th anniversary of the Pope's pontificate, Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki, Metropolitan of Lviv of the Latin rite speaks of the gratitude of the Ukrainian people.

By Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv highlights the importance of Pope Francis’ support for the Church in Ukraine. “We are very grateful, all bishops, clergy and faithful in Ukraine, for the Holy Father's solidarity with the Ukrainian people from the very beginning of the war that started in 2014," he says, noting that "The Holy Father has mobilised humanitarian aid by urging the entire Catholic Church in Europe to help. "

“From the beginning of the ongoing war, for over a year, every day we have been able to say he is with us through prayer.”

Marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, the Archbishop of Lviv highlights the fact that “The Ukrainian people is aware of the Holy Father’s closeness and solidarity. That is why a delegation of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations travelled to the Vatican to express gratitude to the Holy Father for his prayers, for all the appeals for peace and for the humanitarian aid he has been providing to Ukraine via Cardinal Konrad Krajewski."

"The Pope acknowledges that he is suffering with us every day, is close to all the events that are unfolding in Ukraine and prays for peace,” he reiterates.

Cardinal Konrad Krajweski during one of his missions to Ukraine on the Pope's behalf

Bringing hope at the time of war

In reference to the current situation in Ukraine, Archbishop Mokrzycki observes: “It is our task to instil hope and encouragement in people through concrete actions. Recently, we have helped treat one soldier who was shot in the legs and lost his left eye. He is currently in hospital in Poland, where he will have a prosthetic eye fitted in a few days. There are many similar examples of support; all of this is made possible thanks to kind-hearted people.”

Mokrzycki extends his words of gratitude for the spiritual and material help offered: “We are deeply grateful to our brothers and sisters throughout the Catholic Church for their spiritual solidarity, for the daily prayers in their churches and for the humanitarian aid that is pouring into Ukraine.”