“Our unity is born in the trenches,” says Mykola Cardinal Bychok speaking about the war in Ukraine at the Victorian Christian Communities Dinner
On 20 May, His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok, together with the clergy of the Melbourne Eparchy, took part in the Victorian Christian Communities Dinner 2026. The event aimed to acknowledge the contribution of Christian communities to the social life of the State of Victoria and was organised by the Office of the Premier of Victoria.
The dinner, held in the Grand Hall of the Centrepiece Conference Centre in Melbourne, brought together around two hundred guests, including parliamentarians, religious leaders, and representatives of various communities. Among those present were the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan; the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Multifaith Victoria, Ingrid Stitt; as well as representatives of various Christian Churches and communities across Victoria. His Eminence was accompanied at the event by Fr Simon Ckuj, Protosyncellus of the Melbourne Eparchy, and Fr Andriy Mykytyuk, Syncellus for the Laity.
Cardinal Mykola had the honour of serving as the keynote speaker for the evening. At the beginning of his address, His Eminence thanked all those present for their participation, noting that it is always a blessing when people of faith come together, not to advance their own interests, but to strengthen the bonds that hold our society together.
Reflecting on the challenges facing the modern world, the Cardinal drew attention to the dangers of division, the loss of dialogue, and the growing polarisation within society. “One of the greatest challenges of our time is the rise of division—political, cultural, and even spiritual. We see polarisation across the world, and we are not immune to it here in Australia. Social media amplifies anger. Public debate becomes harsh and unforgiving. People retreat into echo chambers. Suspicion grows. But division is not inevitable. It is a choice. And so is unity. We must not allow the loudest voices of anger to drown out the quiet work of peace. Hate cannot be allowed to define our public life. Suspicion cannot be allowed to shape our relationships. Fear cannot be allowed to determine our future.”
His Eminence also dedicated particular attention to the war in Ukraine, emphasising not only the scale of human suffering but also the remarkable witness of interreligious and interdenominational unity that has emerged amid the trials of war. “As a Ukrainian Catholic bishop, I cannot speak of global challenges without speaking of Ukraine. For more than four years, my homeland has endured a brutal and unjust war. Hundreds of thousands killed or wounded. Millions have been displaced. Thousands of churches, mosques, synagogues, and sacred sites have been damaged or destroyed. Families have been torn apart. Children have grown up knowing only the sound of sirens. Yet in the midst of this suffering, something remarkable has emerged: faith communities standing together in a unity that is not theoretical, but lived. The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations—a body that includes Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim leaders is a vital forum. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk has said that in Ukraine, our unity is born in the trenches, in the shelters, and in the humanitarian centres where we serve side by side. This unity is a witness to the world that faith, when authentic, always moves outward—toward the other, toward the vulnerable, toward peace.
This is not only a Ukrainian story. It is a human story. It is a reminder that in times of crisis, faith communities often become the first to respond and the last to leave. They are the ones who remain when the cameras are gone. They are the ones who rebuild when the world has moved on. And they are the ones who keep alive the flame of hope when everything else seems dark.”
Cardinal Mykola also highlighted the significant contribution of Churches and Christian organisations to the life of the State of Victoria. “Christian communities in Victoria make an extraordinary contribution to the daily life of this state. This contribution is woven into the very fabric of our society, yet it is not always fully recognised or valued in public life. Our churches and Christian organisations have built and continue to sustain schools and universities that educate generations; hospitals, aged‑care homes, and health services that care for the vulnerable; social‑service agencies that support families, migrants, and those in crisis; ministries that walk with the poor, the homeless, and refugees; and advocacy efforts that speak for the voiceless when no one else will. These are not small or peripheral contributions. They are central to the wellbeing of Victoria. And so I say gently but firmly: the Government of Victoria must do more to acknowledge, support, and partner with Christian communities, whose service to the common good is deep, longstanding, and indispensable. Recognition is not a favour—it is a matter of truth and justice.”
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