It has now been four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The pain continues to beat in every wounded city and in every parish that endures among the ruins. In the midst of this commemoration, the voices of those who accompany the local Church remind us that war is not measured only in numbers, but in stories of faith and survival. From the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the commitment remains unwavering, as expressed by Raquel Martín, Communications Director of ACN Spain, and Marco Mencaglia, Projects Director of ACN International.
The commemoration of this fourth anniversary is not merely an exercise in historical memory, but a call not to grow accustomed to suffering. Raquel Martín emphasizes that “Ukraine remains a deeply wounded country, but also a deeply believing one; faith has become both refuge and strength for thousands of people.” During these years, destroyed parishes have been improvised in basements, and priests and religious sisters have remained alongside their communities, even under bombardment. For ACN, accompanying this spiritual resistance has been essential: it is not only about rebuilding churches, but about sustaining hope. Martín insists that every supported project — from emergency aid to pastoral care — has a concrete face, a family that has lost everything except trust in God.
Marco Mencaglia, for his part, stresses that the war has radically transformed the life of the Church in Ukraine. “Many priests have moved from ordinary pastoral ministry to emergency ministry: they hear confessions in shelters, celebrate the Eucharist in damaged homes, and console those who have lost everything,” he explains. According to him, the psychological impact is as profound as the material devastation. For this reason, much of the international aid has also been directed toward emotional and spiritual care. Mencaglia highlights that Ukraine has been one of the most supported countries by the foundation in recent years, precisely because the magnitude of the crisis demands it. “The solidarity of benefactors allows the local Church to remain a beacon in the midst of darkness,” he adds.
Both agree that this anniversary should be lived as an opportunity to renew commitment. It is not only about remembering February 24, 2022, but about looking at the present with responsibility. “The war continues and the need does not diminish,” warns Raquel Martín, while inviting the international community not to fall into indifference. Marco Mencaglia adds: “Every gesture of help sustains entire communities who feel accompanied by the universal Church.” Amid sirens and fragile reconstruction, the faith of Ukrainian Christians continues to be a living testimony of resilience, and their cry challenges the global conscience.
Four years later, the suffering persists — but so does solidarity. The Pontifical Foundation ACN reaffirms that it will continue to stand by Christians who suffer persecution and need in Ukraine, one of the countries that has received the most support during this time. For as long as there are communities celebrating their faith among the rubble, the mission to accompany them will not cease.
