SW News: On September 17, the anniversary of his episcopal consecration, Papal Almoner Cardinal Krajewski came under fire while bravely distributing provisions and rosaries in no-man’s-land near the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. The cardinal is on his fourth visit to the war-torn country with essential supplies since the conflict began in February this year.

With the aid of a Ukrainian soldier, a Catholic prelate and a Protestant bishop, the cardinal loaded foodstuff and other essential items in a minibus and drove all the way to that particular area near Zaporizhzhia where only fighters dare enter because of the intense fighting. Cardinal Krajewksi boldly took the risk of going to that place to bring aid to people who are stuck there.

When he finished unloading the foodstuff and other essential items, he and his entourage faced light arms fire, forcing them to seek cover. “For the first time in my life,” he told Vatican News over the phone. “I didn’t know where to run… because it’s not enough to run. You have to know where to go. We can only pray and repeat ‘Jesus I trust in You’.”

“Today is a special day,” said the top Vatican prelate, “because it has been nine years since the Holy Father chose me as the Papal Almoner and on this day I was ordained a Bishop.” He was consecrated in 2013 in St Peter’s Basilica in the presence of the pontiff himself.

The almoner is also distributing rosaries blessed by Pope Francis himself along with other items. He told Vatican News that as soon as the rosaries are given out, Ukrainians devoutly wear them around their neck. The Cardinal, who is also the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity is also expressing the spiritual closeness of the Holy Father to Ukrainians.

On his fourth visit, he first went to the city of Odesa before visiting Zaporizhzhia. As part of his daring mission, Cardinal Krajewski will now proceed to Kharkiv.