The seminary in Ukraine located in the city of Uzhhorod, within the Greek Catholic eparchy of Mukachevo, is facing a major infrastructure challenge. Situated in West Ukraine near the Slovakian border, this region is more remote from the ongoing war and currently serves as a sanctuary for thousands of refugees.
Legacy of the seminary in Ukraine
Named after the martyred Bishop Theodore Romzha, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001, this institution was the first seminary rebuilt in Ukraine following the end of the Soviet era. The original pre-Soviet building was confiscated by communists and never returned to the Church. Consequently, ACN funded the new construction in the 1990s and has continued to support priestly training ever since.
Infrastructure crisis at the seminary in Ukraine
The facility currently houses over 65 seminarians, but its ability to provide basic services is compromised due to a damaged solar water heating system. Archimandrite Petro Pavlo Beresh, the rector, explained the current difficulties:
“Many parts of the system have rusted away and it has now been out of use for several months. During this time we had to heat water with electric heaters, with correspondingly high energy costs. We therefore need to repair or renew the entire system”.
To alleviate the financial burden caused by high electricity bills and to restore reliable service, ACN is providing 8,000 euros for the necessary repairs. This aid will ensure that the seminary in Ukraine can once again provide warm water to its students in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
