EUROPE/UKRAINE - Redemptorists: "people come to our churches and monasteries, they are afraid and ask for help"

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "As Redemptorists and consecrated persons, we try to support people. We encourage people with talks, confessions and prayers, in these difficult days. Our people come to churches and our monasteries. They are afraid and ask for help. When we can, we help the refugees by transporting them to safe places. We try to give them temporary shelter in our monasteries. Most of the refugees are traveling abroad. Some of our confreres are present at the scene of the fighting, they are a great support for the people there, to pray together". This is how Fr. Andriy Rak, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of the Province of Lviv, presents the situation in Ukraine from Lviv, in a short video message of March 7. He recalls that "on February 24, Ukraine woke up in the middle of war" and "we are living the great scourge of war". To date, more than one million refugees have left the country, hosted by Poland and other European countries. "War is not a means of solving problems. It is sad and hurtful that the governments and armed forces of countries become instruments of evil", underlines the Redemptorist, who ends with a thank you: "Today, we hear words and prayers of support and encouragement from different parts of the world. It is very important for us right now. I am sincerely grateful to the international society for so much help and support given to us in this difficult time. Thank you all". In fact, Redemptorists around the world are indeed responding with generosity to the requests for help from thousands of people, especially women and children, who are fleeing Ukraine. Fr Janusz Sok, CSR, Provincial Superior of Poland, stresses that since the arrival of the first refugees, "many Poles have rushed to the border with open hearts to do anything". "Our communities have declared their willingness to welcome refugees, one of our homes is reserved for the children of a Ukrainian orphanage. Fundraising efforts are underway across Poland. Humanitarian, psychological, legal and other assistance is organised. Piggy banks were installed in our churches and information on how to help the suffering Ukraine was displayed. We have also started cooperation with the Redemptorists in Europe, who organize all the help. We also cooperate with other institutions and organizations. Similar activities are undertaken by the confreres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia". In Ireland, the Redemptorists of Limerick have launched a special collection for the Ukrainian people. Each year, the Redemptorists of the Province of Baltimore in the United States hold a special collection during Lent to send the funds to charity. This year, all funds raised by Redemptorists will be directed to Ukraine. The Redemptorists in Vienna have collected and transferred a first donation online to the Redemptorist Province of Lviv, and more aid will follow in the coming days. Father Lorenz Voith, who coordinates Vienna's aid to Ukraine, says: "Besides financial aid, we would also like to provide accommodation for future refugees in Vienna. We also intend to cooperate with other institutions of the Church. The Clemens Hofbauer committee, the Redemptorist parish of Hernals and other organizations participate in this relief effort, and prayers for peace are said at every Mass. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 9/3/2022)

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