Social Service Without Borders: The Church’s Response to the Challenges of War, Presented at the UGCC Synod of Bishops
At the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), currently taking place in Rome, Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets, Chairman of the UGCC’s Department of Social Service, presented a detailed report on the Church’s social ministry in 2024 and its response to the ongoing challenges of war.
According to Bishop Vasyl, approximately 12.7 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian aid. However, international organizations are only able to support about one-third of them. From the very first day of the war, the Church has been providing assistance to all in need—regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or citizenship.
The bishop outlined the broad scope of the UGCC’s social service initiatives, which range from distributing humanitarian aid to offering medical care and educational support. Every archeparchy, eparchy, and exarchate within the UGCC is actively engaged in this humanitarian mission.
Communities and eparchies in the Ukrainian diaspora play a key role by organizing regular collections and sending humanitarian packages that include medicine, medical equipment, food, generators, and other critical supplies. Parishes abroad have also set up centers to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees, offering temporary shelter, counseling, and spiritual care.
Through partnerships with international charitable organizations—such as Renovabis, Caritas, Die Sternsinger, and Missione Calcutta—the UGCC is able to deliver targeted support for Ukraine’s healthcare system, provide protection for the most vulnerable groups, and offer spiritual and psychological assistance to victims of the war.
These activities are coordinated through the UGCC’s Department of Social Service, which helps streamline resources, respond to emerging challenges, and direct aid to where it’s needed most. Much of the Church’s humanitarian work is made possible thanks to the generosity of benefactors and faithful from both Ukraine and abroad, who support charitable projects through local parishes and Church-based foundations.
Bishop Vasyl placed particular emphasis on educational support for children, especially in frontline areas where students are studying remotely and face significant learning losses. UGCC parishes have begun opening children’s centers where they offer school preparation for first graders, developmental classes for 4-5-year-olds, and tutoring for students preparing for Ukraine’s National Multidisciplinary Test.
He also noted that all UGCC eparchies, both in Ukraine and abroad, continue to collect donations for war victims. However, he acknowledged that fundraising has become more difficult, which somewhat limits the Church’s ability to expand its aid efforts.
Despite these challenges, Bishop Vasyl said, people remain deeply grateful that the Church stands with them in these difficult times—not only acknowledging their suffering but responding with compassion and practical help.
In closing, the bishop reminded the Synod of the importance of unity, coordination, and ongoing solidarity with those affected by war. The Church, he affirmed, remains committed to its mission of service, striving to be present with the suffering and to embody mercy in action.
The UGCC Department for Information
