Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzcki of Lviv recently displayed pieces of shrapnel that hit the rectory in Berezdivtsi, in his archdiocese. Recent barrages of missile strikes in the west of Ukraine have caused much destruction and killed many people, and the Church is also affected.
The Catholic Church in Kharkiv has been committed to helping victims of the war since it began. The donation of an off-road vehicle by ACN will make it easier for the diocese to distribute aid to areas most affected by the conflict.
When the war in Ukraine began, many people ran away from the worst-hit areas. The Church, however, remained to help to look after all those who could not, or would not go away.
Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk, of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia, is one of those who stayed and frequently makes visits to the front, to meet and speak to soldiers and residents.
As winter approaches and the terrain turns to mud and ice, Bishop Pavel Honcharuk’s current car is simply not up to the task of visiting the front, or some of the more damaged regions. The diocese wanted to obtain a new vehicle for this purpose, and ACN has helped with this project.
Many parts of the Kharkiv Diocese were occupied by Russian forces and were only recently liberated in a successful Ukrainian counter-offensive. During a recent visit to the front, Bishop Honcharuk drives past many houses that have been destroyed in the combat.
Destruction of houses and livelihoods, not to mention actual lives, is one of the results of every war. Ukraine is no exception. The Catholic Church has remained on the ground to help in any way it can. ACN is helping the local Diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia to do just that.
Beneath heavy clouds that show that winter is coming quickly to this region, members of the Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia Diocese distribute aid to people who still live near the frontline of the war with Russia, which has raged with intensity since the end of February.
Bishop Pavel Honcharuk likes to personally oversee the distribution of aid to the front. Since the beginning of the war the bishop has remained with his faithful, and continues to help all those who need it in Eastern Ukraine.
