A CHURCH OF MERCY IN WAR

During Lent I have presented martyrs who died at the hands of the Nazis in WWII, many were priests who refused to abandon their flocks.  Today we see the same situation in Ukraine, with priests who have stayed behind to care for the spiritual- and in many cases physical- needs of their people. The Church has become a symbol of concrete mercy. 

Due to the war in Ukraine, almost 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes. Almost 4 million have become internally displaced persons (IDPs), and another six million persons have taken refuge in another country, with Poland and Germany taking the lion’s share of those refugees.

Men between 18-60 had to remain in the country for possible deployment in the military, which means most of the refugees have been women, children and elderly. 

 The Church and many Catholic orders of religious men and women are still aiding refugees, physically and emotionally, as well as spiritually. Many feel the West has forgotten their plight as the war drags on and other tragedies take precedence in the news.

Ukrainian Father Oleksandr Zelinskyi of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and director of EWTN Ukraine since 2017, says that “hope is something that helps us carry on, to work, to live, believing that God can change even the worst for the good. And there are many people bearing witness that faith and trust in God helps them in these difficult times.”

Father Zelinskyi said the people are very grateful to all those in the world who continue to pray for Ukraine. He feels that the act of consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary carried out by Pope Francis in March 2022, “did some good, because after this consecration the Russians had to leave the Kiev region. And I believe it was possible thanks to the providence of God.”

We know from local friends that the Knights of Columbas are still supplying goods  to families in need through their Charity Convoy.  Over a million pounds of food has been delivered to Ukrainian families through this charitable mission. In Solidarity with Ukraine, an inspiring new film from the Knights of Columbus, gives a vivid example of what it means to be a Christian disciple in the midst of war, and how the light of the Gospel continues to shine in the darkness.

While we are unable to physically be present to the people of this war-torn country, who continue to amaze us by their strength and courage, we can pray, and daily we do!