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In the fourth year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citizens continue to endure hardship yet remain hopeful, a Kansas bishop recently conveyed to OSV News. Bishop Gerald L. Vincke of Salina, Kansas, remarked, "I don’t know how many Ukrainian people told me, ‘We believe in God, so we have hope.' They kept on saying that over and over again."
Leading a delegation on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Bishop Vincke visited Ukraine from March 12-19 to address pastoral needs and assess the impact of the USCCB’s support. The subcommittee, established in 2001, has raised over $187.5 million to assist central and eastern European churches recovering from decades of communism.
Accompanying Bishop Vincke were subcommittee staff members Jennifer Healy, Andrew Kirkpatrick, and Mariya Lupiy, along with Capuchin Franciscan Father David Songy, a licensed clinical psychologist.
The delegation's visit, centered in Lviv and Kyiv, involved meetings with various church leaders. Discussions with bishops and clergy highlighted the war's toll on Ukrainians. Bishop Vincke spoke with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and other church officials about Russia’s continued attacks which began in 2014.
Visits included the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv and several recovery centers, such as Nazareth, the first recovery center established under the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for addiction treatment. Meetings with Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine, confirmed the persistence of aerial attacks described as a "war on nerves."
Healy shared, “I couldn’t sleep,” due to sporadic sirens, noting the Russian forces' tactics to wear down Ukrainians in hopes they would turn against their government. She emphasized the visit aimed to convey U.S. Catholics' solidarity with their Ukrainian counterparts.
Bishop Vincke expressed gratitude towards those they met for appreciating their presence. He recounted an encounter with a displaced woman who moved due to the ongoing dangers. "It's one thing to say you care for us, but it's another thing to be able to see you and to touch you," she told him.
Acknowledging the country's visible wounds, Bishop Vincke remarked on the constant threat to safety and the emotional toll of losing family members. He noted the poignant sight of tributes to war casualties in each location they visited.
A moving moment during the liturgy with Major Archbishop Shevchuk involved a child requesting prayers for his father, recently deceased in the conflict. Bishop Vincke indicated the enduring impact of trauma and the necessity for ongoing support. Priests in Ukraine are increasingly being trained to offer counseling as part of their ministry, addressing the psychological and spiritual needs of the community.
Despite challenges, young men continue to pursue priesthood, understanding the likelihood of ministering on the frontlines. Bishop Vincke found inspiration in their commitment, recognizing the bravery involved.
In discussions with human rights defender Myroslav Marynovych, Bishop Vincke heard a powerful message: "What gives me hope is that evil does not win in the end." This belief in divine providence stands strong among Ukrainians, driving the bishop’s desire to express solidarity and compassion.
Reporter Gina Christian from OSV News contributed to this coverage.
