’Holy Father, do all that you can to save Ukrainian children who have been stolen by the russian aggressor.’ — Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok
On Wednesday, February 5, a charity lunch was held in Sydney to raise funds for children in Ukraine. The event, organised by the Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited (ACSL) and Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, brought together more than 80 representatives from Catholic and secular organisations across Australia.
Fr. Simon Ckuj, Protosynkellos of the Melbourne Eparchy, shared, “A few months ago, the Chief Executive Officer of ACSL, Dr. Ursula Stephens, approached us with the idea of organising this event in Sydney. We were, of course, happy to support this initiative.”
ACSL has been created to promote and oversee a nationally consistent, comprehensive, and sustainable framework for the protection of children and adults at risk within the Church in Australia. It provides integrated safeguarding services that are informed by Catholic social teaching and support Church entities to meet their responsibilities to provide safe environments for children and adults at risk.
The charity lunch took place at Kyïv Social, a unique social enterprise. The restaurant is part of the ‘Plate It Forward’ initiative and is one of three restaurants opened by the organisation’s founder, Shaun Christie-David. By employing refugees and migrants, Kyïv Social helps them gain new skills and practical experience. In addition, part of the proceeds from each meal sold is donated to help orphans in Ukraine.
The event was attended by Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia; Kirsten Sayers, CEO of Caritas Australia; and Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, along with Catholic clergy, NGO representatives, and Catholic businesses.
At the start of the event, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok read a prayer in which he prayed, in particular, for a just peace in Ukraine and in all parts of the world devastated by war and conflict, as well as for all those who suffer. “We pray for children who have been stolen, traumatised, orphaned, abused, injured and killed. That they may find peace in the love of Christ.”
The special guest of the evening was Father Hans Zollner, President of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC) at the Pontifical Gregorian University, a world-renowned expert in safeguarding. He gave a short presentation on ensuring a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in the Church, particularly in the context of those displaced by war.
At the conclusion of the event, Bishop Mykola reminded the audience that both the Church and each individual are called to take concrete actions to protect children and the most vulnerable. “This requires us to stand in solidarity with survivors of abuse and the patience to listen to children and the vulnerable. It requires us to be informed and to acknowledge the crimes that have been committed and to make sure that justice is seen to be done. It requires us to face uncomfortable truths and to seek forgiveness not just by our words but by positive actions.”
Bishop Mykola also spoke about the plight of Ukrainian children suffering from the war, mentioning that over 20,000 children have been stolen by Russia and taken for re-education and resettlement. “People often ask me, what was said between me and Pope Francis as I was kneeling before him at the Consistory. I said, ‘Holy Father, please do all that you can, using all the resources of the Holy See to save Ukrainian children who have been stolen by the russian aggressor and to see them returned to their homeland and families,’’ he shared.
Bishop Mykola thanked Dr. Ursula Stephens and the entire ACSL team for their initiative and assistance in organising the event, as well as the guests for their support. “Your donations are a concrete act to help those who have been abused by war. On behalf of all Ukrainians, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity.”
The event was also supported by Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova. They sent video greetings to Cardinal Bychok, encouraging the audience to continue supporting Ukraine.
Press office of the Melbourne Eparchy
