Head of the Catholic Church in Ukraine says "Today we are asking the world community to close the skies over Ukraine, because Russian cruise missiles are killing the most people..."

The head of the UGCC on the twelfth day of the war: “Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights! Thank you all "

Monday, March 07, 2022, 

I would like to thank the Polish people, the Polish episcopate and the Polish state. They have already accepted more than a million refugees into their arms, into their homes and are trying to do everything possible to provide the necessary assistance to these people. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said this in his daily military address to the Ukrainian people from Kyiv.

First of all, the Primate expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for once again sharply and ambiguously condemning the war against Ukraine during the Angelus prayer. "He clearly said that this was not an operation, but a war. This is a war first of all against civilians, civilians, "the head of the Church said.

Today, on the twelfth day of the war, according to the UN, we already have one and a half million refugees from Ukraine who have left their homeland.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav cordially thanked all those who support our people, our Motherland, our army. He noted that countless letters of solidarity had been sent to him. In particular, the Primate of the UGCC expresses gratitude to the Catholic bishops of Asia, in particular Hong Kong, the Churches of India, in particular Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. Heartfelt thanks to the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe: Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia - all those who especially feel the pain of our Church and our people.

"Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights," the Head of the Church emphasizes.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav's heart is especially tight for the Kyiv Archdiocese. Fierce fighting is taking place in the suburbs of Kiev. Three cities, located several tens of kilometers from the center of Kyiv, became such a great terrible battlefield. These are Irpin, Gostomel and Bucha.

"Yesterday we received a report that the mayor of Gostomel, Mr. Yuriy Prilipko, was killed. This happened just as he was distributing food and medicine to the needy. The mayor of Bucha, Mr. Vadym Denysenko, who courageously carried out his tasks, was wounded. I thank all those who worthily exercise state power at various levels and organize the protection of the population, "said the Head of the Church.

With great sorrow, the bishop noted that all the talks about green corridors, about the possibility of evacuating people from cities that suffer the most from the encirclement and bombing, are not true. "Today we are asking the world community to close the skies over Ukraine, because Russian cruise missiles are killing the most people in our lands," he said.

The head of the Church reminded that today in Ukraine for Christians living on the Julian calendar, Lent begins. "Today we pray, fast and do good deeds," he said.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav especially thanked Caritas Ukraine, which is doing its best to deliver essentials to where it is most difficult today.