The Diocese of Lutsk, located in Northwest Ukraine, has successfully completed its mission to provide heating for its faithful following the especially harsh winter of 2025/26. Even before the arrival of the coldest months, soaring energy costs and the widespread destruction of the national energy supply system due to the war had caused immense suffering across the region. Parishes were struggling to maintain heating in their premises, putting the health of priests and religious sisters at significant risk as they worked round the clock to serve those in need.
A success story for the Diocese of Lutsk
Bishop Vitaliy Skomarovskyi of the Diocese of Lutsk reached out for assistance to provide warmth for those serving God and their communities, as well as for the vulnerable children and elderly seeking help within Church premises. In response, generous benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) contributed 40,000 Euros, which funded the purchase of firewood and heating pellets for 18 parishes across the diocese.
A sign of hope in times of despair
Bishop Skomarovskyi has since written to express the profound gratitude of his community, emphasizing how this support has been a lifeline:
“Your support is extremely important and has literally saved us during this difficult time. Today, when people in Ukraine are forced to live under constant threat of attacks and long periods without electric power, a warm house is nothing less than a pledge of security and a spirit of endurance. Thanks to your help, our priests and their parishes have managed to survive another cold winter”.
On behalf of the faithful, the bishop highlighted that this contribution provided more than just physical warmth; it offered the «feeling that we are not alone,» serving as a beacon of light and a vital sign of hope amidst the icy cold and ongoing conflict.
