ACN Supporting the Ukrainian Church
ACN’s head of projects for Ukraine, Magda Kaczmarek, recently returned from a visit to ACN partners in Ukraine. On her return, she spoke to Filipe d’Avillez about the situation in Ukraine and the support offered to the Church by ACN.
By ACN Staff
ACN staff meeting Greek Catholic leader in Ukraine. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need / Ismael Martinez Sanchez)
It is now just over a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Magda Kaczmarek, ACN’s head of projects for Ukraine, recently returned to Germany following her third visit there since the beginning of the war. On her return, she spoke to Filipe d’Avillez about the situation in Ukraine and what ACN is doing to help.
Aid distribution outside of Lviv. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need / Ismael Martinez Sanchez)
Magda reached Ukraine by flying into Poland and then crossing into Ukraine by car. Her most recent trip was focused on Kyiv and parts of central Ukraine. Magda described the current refugee situation in Ukraine:
“In April 2022 we saw thousands of refugees in western Ukraine, 80% were women with children, the elderly, and sick people, who tried to leave the country or to survive in the seminaries, monasteries and parish houses that opened their doors to them, waiting for the end of the war. Today there are less refugees in the west, but more in central Ukraine. Fifteen million people have left eastern Ukraine, seven million of them are in Poland or Western Europe, one million have gone to Russia, and seven million are internally displaced in western or central Ukraine.”
The war has been very difficult on all Ukrainians, both Catholic and Orthodox. People’s lives have changed forever, and most want peace again, and their families reunited. The Church is in constant prayer for peace.
ACN has also joined in these prayers for peace. As Magda explains, ACN has been able to provide a lot of support to the Catholic Church in Ukraine during this time:
A religious sister leading prayers for peace in Ukraine. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need / Ismael Martinez Sanchez)
“Fortunately, our benefactors are still very generous, and they understand who is suffering and living in pain. They realise that the local Catholic churches help everyone who comes to their door, looking for food or shelter. We can assure them that our sisters and brothers in faith pray for the benefactors and their families every day!”
Magda explained what ACN’s plans are going forward in Ukraine:
“It is important to make sure we don’t tire of helping, and that we continue to support priests and religious so they can survive and continue their pastoral work, preaching the Gospel, and evangelising those who are seeking God.
The greatest challenge for the local Church, however, will be to heal the wounds in the souls of so many people, especially children. Rehabilitation is a major challenge, as is the psychological formation of priests or sisters related to pastoral care. According to Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 80% of the population needs this kind of help. ACN stands ready to support them in this.
Therefore, please do not stop praying for peace in Ukraine and don’t forget those who depend on your generosity.”
Thank you to everyone who has supported our work in Ukraine.