“Thank you for your mercy and open hearts that save Ukrainians today” — His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the delegation from the United States
On February 8–9, a delegation from the United States led by Archbishop and Metropolitan of Philadelphia Borys Gudziak paid a solidarity visit to Ukraine. He was accompanied by Most Reverend John Barres, an ordinary of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, and Sr. Donna Markham, president of The Catholic Charities USA. They also visited Irpin and Bucha.
In the capital of Ukraine, religious leaders had several important meetings. In particular, the guests met with the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, who thanked the U. S. Catholic Church for its solidarity and support of the Ukrainian people: “Thank you not only for your humanitarian and financial aid but also for your mercy and open hearts that save Ukrainians today.”
The Head of the UGCC emphasized the importance of such visits by delegations from different parts of the world in difficult times of war. “We are not forgotten. We can survive even in such dramatic circumstances because we are not going through our pain alone,” said the Primate on Live TV.
Bishop John Barres also thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for his resilience and unity, especially in wartime: “Ukrainians are very powerful now, and especially powerful and meaningful are also your daily addresses to people.”
On February 9, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Bishop John Barres, and Sister Donna Markham came to Bucha and Irpin, where they visited the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the UGCC, damaged by a Russian bomb. Having witnessed the terrible war crimes committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people, they expressed their support and gratitude for their courage.
Bucha today is a symbol of Russian imperialism, colonialism, and the devil’s capability to induce people to commit such indefinable crimes, said Bishop Borys Gudziak.
Sister Donna Markham spoke about the humanitarian aid provided to Ukrainians by Catholic Charities USA. “The people of the United States are with you, and the Church is with you… Now, we are doing everything possible to understand how to help people. We are currently helping about 20 thousand Ukrainians in the United States. And we continue to do so,” Ms. Donna pointed out.
In the Church of Saint Andrew the First-Called in Bucha, representatives of the U. S. Catholic Church prayed for the repose of the innocent people killed during the war.
The UGCC Department for Information
