The Greek-Catholic Archbishop had to take refuge in the basement of his Cathedral during the Russian bombardment. Still, he determined that churches must remain open during the war to welcome all those in need.

Newsroom (24/02/2022 8:15 PM, Gaudium Press) “The churches must remain open” was the decision taken by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Chevtchouk, head of the Greek-Catholic Church of Ukraine.

Therefore, churches will remain open even during the period of war to welcome all those who need help.

The Archbishop recalled the Crimean war that took place eight years ago. Just as then, now Churches will organize the humanitarian aid network in the best possible way. So churches will save people’s lives.

Refugees in the basement of the Cathedral

On Thursday, February 24, His Beatitude Archbishop Major Sviatoslav Shevchuk had to take refuge for hours in the basement of Kiev’s Resurrection Cathedral as the Ukrainian capital was under Russian attack.

In a communique sent to the Holy See by Fr. Andriy Soletskyy, secretary of the Archbishop, the priest explained the dangerous situation that the head of the Church in Ukraine is going through.

But he also informed that His Beatitude is by the side of the people, asking all to unite in prayer “so that Ukraine may be preserved from an unjust aggression.”

Furthermore, the communiqué stresses that the priority of the Church in Ukraine is to remain close to the wounded population.

The message ends with an appeal: “Let us pray for Ukraine! We need solidarity and support!”

Bishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk was supposed to attend a meeting of the Italian Bishops’ Conference in Florence. Still, with the escalating crisis and attacks from Russia, he could not leave Kiev. (FM)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj