SW News:

A delegation sent by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference to war-torn Ukraine has completed its mission there. The team comprising Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne, Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart, Bishop Karol Kulczycki of Port Pirie visited the Eastern European country to express solidarity with the people there. 

Also accompanying the prelates were Fr Simon Cjuk, vicar general of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia, and Annie Carrett, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The visit was made after Bishop Mykola Bychok of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne requested his brother prelates to send a team to Ukraine. 

The delegation visited several war-scarred cities in the country. Archbishop Comensoli said that “Watching this tragedy from afar, and offering financial support is one thing – but it is important that we hear and share the voices of those directly affected.” 

He added saying “This visit was about caring for our neighbor; and personally offering strength in friendship and prayer to the Ukrainian people. It was key for us to bring dimensions of faith, friendship and solidarity to this trip.” 
Archbishop Porteous said that he was touched by the solidarity of the Ukrainian prelates and priests with their suffering believers. “Not only were they active in providing physical assistance but they were pastorally and spiritually present to the people,” he said. “Again and again I noted their personal concern and witnessed the warmth of the people’s gratitude to their pastors.” 

The Australian delegation visited Lviv, Kyiv, Bucha and Irpin and witnessed the havoc wreaked by Moscow troops. The team also held interactive sessions with Church leaders, soldiers, affected people and civic leaders. At the Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, Bishop Kulczycki hailed the work being carried out there. “Centres such as the Unbroken are critical in rebuilding lives. They take wounded of every age through a whole cycle of care from surgery, prosthesis, rehabilitation and, most importantly, psychological and social care,” he said. 

The Australian bishops will now expand the connections they made in Ukraine and encourage the faithful to always remember the suffering people of Ukraine when they pray.