“I will take your prayers to the heart of the Catholic Church,” said Bishop Mykola Bychok in Slavutych to the relatives of prisoners of war
On June 16, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, visited the city of Slavutych in northern Ukraine. The bishop presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and consecrated the Centre for Healing War Wounds. During his visit, the bishop also met with relatives of captured Ukrainian soldiers, whom he assured of his support.
During the liturgy, Bishop Mykola was concelebrated by the parish priest, Fr. Yuriy Logaza, as well as priests of the Patriarchal Curia. They prayed for peace in Ukraine, for the liberation of the National Guard prisoners of war, and for the repose of the souls of the fallen soldiers.
In his homily, the bishop emphasised the importance of the spiritual dimension of peace: “Peace begins with a change of heart, and the task of the Church is to stand alongside those who suffer.”
After the service, the bishop met with the families of the prisoners and the fallen, listened to their stories, and assured them of the Church's constant prayer and support. The relatives asked the cardinal to do everything possible to free those who are still in captivity.
“Today I am with you in this church, and in two weeks I will be in Rome, in the church where the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is located. I will take all the intentions you have in your hearts today to the heart of the Catholic Church,” said Cardinal Mykola.
The bishop emphasised that Ukraine is not alone in its struggle: “Indeed, the whole world is with Ukraine. I speak for Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. There is support not only in words but also in deeds.”
During the visit to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, another Centre for Healing the Wounds of War was officially opened, which is being opened throughout Ukraine by the Patriarchal Foundation Mudra Sprava. His Eminence consecrated this space, which is designed to provide psychosocial support to families affected by the war.
Father Liubomyr Yarovskyi, patriarchal treasurer, noted, “It is symbolic that it was Cardinal Mykola Bychok, who strongly supports the initiatives of the Patriarchal Foundation Mudra Sprava, who came to open our centre. We are talking about more than $500,000 provided as part of this support. Moreover, before his departure for Ukraine, His Eminence again transferred funds for the opening of another centre—in the Donetsk Exarchate."
