KYIV, Ukraine (CNS) – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the US Archdiocese for the Military Services and president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, met with Ukrainian military chaplains Dec. 29 in Kyiv.
The bishop’s meeting with priests at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection took place a day after he participated in the funeral rites in Lviv for three Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war.
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, welcomed the archbishop to the church and gave him a tour, including the basement where hundreds of civilians live almost took refuge in the first days of the Russian war in the country.
According to the church, Archbishop Broglio met with Jesuit Father Andriy Zelinskyy, the director of chaplaincy for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and the leaders of the chaplaincy services for the Ukrainian army, national guards and services. border guards – Catholics and those belonging to other churches. religions.
The Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, in western Ukraine, posted a lengthy article on its website about Archbishop Broglio’s visit to the campus and city Dec. 27-28.
“Today, Ukrainians bring great hope to the world! Your nation is united and stands against this unprovoked attack by Russia. In your resistance, we see hope for the future, “the archbishop is said to have told university officials.
Visiting the Garrison Church of St. Peter and Paul Dec. 28, the archbishop met with Ukrainian military chaplains, some of whom recently returned from the front line, the university said.
“We need to take care of those who are struggling,” he told them. “When I became a pastor in 2008, I knew that my mission was to serve men and women affected by war,” but “there is a big difference” between caring for those who affected by war far from home, such as Iraq or Afghanistan, and taking care of those fighting the war at home.
“My visit is a visit of solidarity and support,” the archbishop said.
“You and I, as ministers of the church called to support these people, must continue our work,” he told the priests. “We need to join hands with those men and women who are serving on the front lines, physically or physically.”
“I want to assure you on behalf of all US basketball that we will continue to pray for all of you,” he told them. “And we hope that peace will soon reign in Ukraine.”
With Auxiliary Bishop Volodymyr Hrutsa of the Lviv Archeparchy, Archbishop Broglio participated in the funeral of three Ukrainian soldiers killed in action: Borys Yakovlev, Serhii Fedorov and Roman Lehkyy, the article said.
Expressing his sympathy to the families of the soldiers and the entire nation, the bishop said: “We are very grateful to the defenders for the sacrifice they make for their country, and for us. We pray that peace reigns in Ukraine and the rest of the world.
“Again, on behalf of all Catholics in the United States,” he said, “I offer my condolences. We must continue to live with hope.”
