When news broke that Vladimir Putin had ordered the Russian troops to invade Ukraine, Deacon Daniel Galadza was in Rome, taking part in a conference at the Vatican’s Congregation for Eastern Churches.
Ukraine
U.N. Official: Ukraine Exodus Is Fastest-Growing Refugee Crisis Since WWII
A top United Nations official said March 6 that the world hasn’t seen a refugee crisis such as the one developing in Eastern Europe, caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, since the last World War.
U.S. Seminarian Who Taught in Ukraine Urges Prayers for Peace
Stephen Coutcher, a Rhode Island seminarian who spent the summer of 2018 teaching English in Ukraine, urged those who feel helpless about the current situation there to pray for peace.
A Million Refugees, No Refugee Camps: Poles Open Homes to Ukrainians
Refugees crossing the border with Poland are welcomed with a greeting from the Border Patrol: “You are safe now.”
Pope Francis Says ‘Rivers of Blood’ Flowing in Ukraine; Vatican Ready to Help
Pope Francis said the Vatican “is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace” in Ukraine.
U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Welcomes Temporary Protected Status Designation for Ukraine, Urges Support for Refugees
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on March 3. In response to this designation and the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, praised the move.
Ukrainian Archbishop Condemns Attack on Nuclear Facility
The attack on and seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces could lead to an ecological disaster 10 times worse than the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, said the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Centuries-old Marian Icon Offers Solace, Protection Amid Horror of War
As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia’s invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.
Church Leaders Urge Russian Patriarch to Speak with Putin
Catholic and Orthodox leaders in Europe have appealed to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, urging him to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine.
Bishop in Ukraine Fears Russia Could Brand Priests, Nuns as Spies
Church leaders in embattled Ukraine have warned that foreign missionaries could be targeted by attacking forces, while many could be branded “NATO spies” if Russia occupies the country.