By: María Ximena Rondón
This February 24 marked one year since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, in which the Catholic Church has shown its spirit by accompanying those who have remained in the country, while Ukrainian priests residing outside their homeland, such as Father Dimitro Kiyashko, have become «humanitarian aid centers» for their compatriots.
Father Kiyashko, a priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, spoke to the Global Office of the ACN Pontifical Foundation about the work he does in his parish in Ibiza (Spain) for the benefit of his country.
«Our parish, like all our parishes in the world, we have become centers of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and Ukrainians. All our priests have become true ministers of mercy. The priest, especially outside Ukraine, has the task to explain the real situation in our country,» he said.
Regarding material aid, Father Kiyashko commented that during the past year, together with the Ukrainian community in Santa Eulària, «we have been honorably organizing actions and events to help the soldiers defending our state. People are full of desire to help the neediest and work very hard for this».
The priest, who has lived in Spain for more than five years, but whose family remains in Ukraine, told ACN that some of these initiatives were Masses offered for the souls of the soldiers fallen in battle; pilgrimages to Lourdes for peace; a Mass celebrated jointly with the Bishop of Ibiza, Monsignor Vicente Ribas Prats, in the Lourdes Chapel of Santa Eulària; peaceful demonstrations in front of the Santa Eulària Town Hall to ask for an end to the war, and some collections. He even bought an ambulance to send to Ukraine.
Asked about the situation in Ukraine, Father Kiyashko said that «it is quite complicated, as the war continues. There is no safe place to live in Ukraine now. In many cities, the energy infrastructure has been destroyed, and because of the severe cold many people are suffering.»
The priest also recalled that the first weeks of the war «were the worst», and that Ukrainians who remain there or are outside suffer, because «people wake up every day not knowing if we still have our family, our home or our country». However, he stressed that «all religious denominations are united to serve those in need,» he continued.
Regarding the help ACN has provided to Ukraine, Father Dimitro Kiyashko said: «On my behalf and on behalf of all Ukrainians, I want to thank all the benefactors who helped and continue to help… support us, help us and pray for us and for peace throughout the world.
During the first year of the war, ACN has allocated more than 9.5 million euros to fund more than 200 projects in Ukraine, which have directly benefited more than 15,000 people.
Some of these projects include immediate and emergency livelihood assistance, which was distributed to dioceses and religious congregations; the maintenance of the power supply with 17 generators, as part of the electricity network has been damaged by shelling; and the purchase of vehicles to enable the local Church to mobilize aid and pastoral care.
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