As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its third year, several church institutions recapped their aid effort over two years of conflict, showing millions of people have been saved thanks to the Catholic Church.

It’s been one year and four months for Anastasiia and her son who remain in Romania who have been warmly welcomed by JRS Romania and the local community, while the process of integrating into the new country has been a difficult journey.

Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish Priest Fr Ihor Holovko explained to The Record that for him the past 12 months have been a very defined mission of helping the community every way he can.
“It has motivated, all of us, I think, to do what we can when we have seen people in need – a bit like the words of St Mary McKillop,” Fr Ihor explained.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, spoke with a small group of reporters in Rome by Zoom on 20 February from Kyiv, a city he has left only a couple of times and only for a few days in the past year.

After setting white flowers at a statue of Mary, Queen of Peace, Pope Francis prayed the Rosary and asked Mary to intercede to bring peace to Ukraine and every place in the world torn by violent conflict.

Since the start of the conflict, Caritas Australia has raised more than $3.5 million for its Ukraine Appeal.

Praying before a statue of Mary that was loaned by the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at San Vittoriano on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis pleaded with Mary to “accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end, and peace spread throughout the world.”

Ukrainian Catholic Church Eparch Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR will join Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB this Sunday 27 March for Divine Liturgy to join in prayer for those suffering and affected by the war in the Ukraine.

Archbishop Costelloe has this week also released a video of making an Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in communion with Pope Francis.

In the text of the Holy Father’s prayer sent to chanceries around the globe so that bishops can join Pope Francis on Friday March 25, a key passage for many observers reads: “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine.”

Aid to the Church in Need Head of Press Maria Lozano has last week interviewed Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas about the situation in Kiev, the humanitarian crisis, solidarity among the population and the drama of war.