Cardinal Schönborn: “Russia is deliberately destroying Ukraine”
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Heute on Friday, November 25, said that he constantly thinks “about the countless numbers of elderly people, children and sick people who today remain defenseless against war and cold”, and called for further help.
“Nine months ago, — notes Cardinal Schoenborn, — the Russian army invaded the sovereign neighboring state of Ukraine, contrary to all norms of international law. Since then, not a single day has passed without numerous casualties among military service members on both sides. The Ukrainian civilian population suffers the most. Recently, the World Health Organization noted that there had been 700 targeted Russian attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities, which contradicts all norms of international humanitarian law. According to the WHO, this is ‘the biggest attack on health care on European soil since the Second World War.’
“Russian missiles are systematically destroying the population’s energy supply. As a result, hundreds of thousands of residential buildings, schools, and hospitals are left without electricity and heating, resulting in severe sub-zero temperatures. Many deaths from the cold are expected. In addition, there are tortures, rapes, and shootings. One must call a spade a spade: this is targeted extermination! — emphasizes the archbishop of Vienna and adds: — I do not stop thinking about the countless number of older people, children, and sick people who remain defenseless against war and cold today. When will this audacious injustice, which cries out to heaven for revenge, end? Please do not stop our efforts to help Ukraine!”
Prepared by the press service of the Ordinariate of Austria, Faithful of Eastern Rites
according to the publication of the Archdiocese of Vienna