Donetsk Bishop, Maksym Ryabukha, SDB, aged 46, exercises his ministry as a Salesian bishop in an active war zone in Ukraine. Although half of his exarchate is currently under Russian occupation, making it impossible to carry out his pastoral work there, he insists that he continues to witness «constant signs of hope» even amidst the severe destruction caused by the ongoing war. These signs are reflected in the heroic fidelity of his priests serving on the front line, the solidarity witnessed among the youth, and the spiritual strength of mothers at prayer.
Pastoral presence of the Donetsk Bishop amidst shifting front lines
The reality of the war has changed drastically across the diocesan territory. A year ago, being 20 kilometres from the front line provided a relative safety margin; today, due to the widespread use of drones and guided bombs, any location under 50 kilometres is extremely dangerous. Material destruction in the occupied areas is devastating, with housing and rectories being razed, such as the church in Kostantynivka where drone imagery shows that only a fragment of the cross on the central dome remains standing. Faced with this tragedy, the Auxiliary Bishop clarifies his role:
“I do so by being a bishop of prayer and accompaniment. I cannot stop the war, nor change the course of military history, but I can be close to people: in prayer, in dialogue and through my pastoral presence. Despite the tragedy, I can see clearly that God does not abandon us. There are constant signs of hope”.
Priestly fidelity, youth ministry, and spiritual awakenings
The serenity shown by local priests stems from a shared life of prayer and fraternal support. When advised to evacuate due to severe danger, many priests demonstrate heroic fidelity, refusing to leave and asking who would conduct funerals, hear confessions, or visit the sick if they departed.
Community and youth initiatives also remain active. This year, 60 young people participated in a course for facilitators, and 15 summer camps were organized across local parishes. Additionally, the «Mothers at Prayer» group meets weekly, bringing together up to 80 women transported in priests’ personal cars due to dangerous public transit conditions. Bishop Ryabukha summarizes this core lesson:
“That however great evil is, it will never destroy everything”.
As a Salesian, the prelate notes that a healthy community helps heal the loneliness caused by trauma. He recalled a young man who fled to Zaporizhzhia and spent months isolated in depression, but found renewed purpose after attending a parish camp. Furthermore, the harsh reality of war prompts fundamental existential questions, fostering 19 current seminarians and inspiring adult conversions, such as a former prisoner of war in Zaporizhzhia who requested baptism after realizing God gave him the strength to survive captivity.
Gratitude and message to ACN benefactors
Looking ahead, the bishop emphasized that each passing day brings the population one step closer to victory and peace, extending a heartfelt message to benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN):
“I feel a profound gratitude. The good we are doing together is an immense source of hope. I would tell them that it is worth believing and investing in the human being, even when it appears that we are living in an absurd world. Training a priest, supporting a young person or caring for a child is betting on the future of an entire people. Thank you to all who continue to believe with us in the possibility of the impossible. Thank you to all those who recognise our dignity and our right to life”.
