The Head of the UGCC speaks about forced migrants from Ukraine at the Pontifical Synod
In his speech at the Pontifical Synod held in the Vatican, His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the current problem of forced displacement from Ukraine and the conditions of adaptation of migrants. He thanked the international church community for their hospitality and solidarity with Ukraine.
The Head of the UGCC emphasized that the war in Ukraine has struck “the heart of Ukrainian society — the family,” which is why “spiritual, psychological and social support for the family is the main task of our pastoral ministry in Ukraine and abroad.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav advised the participants of the Pontifical Synod of statistics on Ukrainian refugees. “It should be noted that the majority of Ukrainian refugees, almost 80 %, were not accommodated in refugee centers but were hosted by families in different European countries.” The Head of the UGCC called it positive that most Ukrainian refugees want to return to Ukraine.
“These statistics indicate that we must prepare for the long-term spiritual support of our faithful outside Ukraine. This will also require closer cooperation between the Mother Church, local Catholic Churches, and the Holy See,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“According to UN forecasts, Ukraine will face two humanitarian challenges: a food crisis that will acutely affect approximately seven million people and a nationwide energy crisis during the winter”, the Head of the UGCC pointed out.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the international church community for its solidarity and support for Ukraine: “Russia’s neo-colonial war against Ukraine has caused the greatest humanitarian crisis since World War II, but owing to Catholic and international solidarity, it did not escalate into a catastrophe, no one in our country died of hunger or cold.” His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed special gratitude to His Holiness Pope Francis: “With your help this year, we have won the humanitarian battle in Ukraine.”
Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome
