Bishop of Kharkiv expresses gratitude to Pope Francis for appeals for peace in Ukraine

By Svitlana Dukhovych and Taras Kotsur

Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk of the Latin Diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia expressed his sincere gratitude to the pope for his prayers, concern for Ukraine and calls for peace. Speaking to Vatican News, the bishop recalled Pope Francis’ remarks following his Angelus on Sunday, October 13, when the pope urged the international community not to let Ukrainians “freeze to death” and to an end to “airstrikes targeting civilians”. , who always suffers the most.

Echoing the sentiments of the Ukrainian people, Archbishop Honcharuk underlined their desire to live in peace and freedom on their own land, with respect for justice, truth, freedom, life and human dignity, not only for himself but for all people and all cultures.

The displaced in Kharkiv

Bishop Honcharuk spoke of the terror Ukrainians live in as Russian forces continue to bomb critical infrastructure, aiming to plunge cities into darkness and prevent heating systems from functioning, so that “old people, children, young people and infants simply disappear”. ” The bishop described the situation in Kharkiv, which has become a refuge for people displaced from areas closer to the front lines, where “the fighting is intense.”

“Some of these displaced people,” he explained, “remain in Kharkiv, while others leave for other regions of the country. It is mainly the elderly and families with children who are wondering where to go “If they have no other choice, they stay in the city”, where the local administration does its best by providing free transport and temporary accommodation. Various organizations also help, but resources are very limited. “It’s a huge problem,” the bishop said, “because people have lost everything and are now living in dormitories.”

Fear of next winter

As winter approaches, anxiety grows. Daily power outages have already been in effect for several hours, and concern is growing as cold temperatures set in. When people have to turn on their heating system, “serious problems could arise. If the Russians strike again and destroy more infrastructure, as they systematically do – it will only make things worse. » The city is preparing for the hard months to come, aware that “it will be extremely difficult” and that “there will be other attacks”. The atmosphere is tense, the bishop stressed, “but without panic or despair”.

Archbishop Honcharuk concluded by expressing his deep gratitude to the Pope and all those who defend “truth, justice, honesty, decency, love and responsibility”, asking for prayers and hoping that “the Lord will show his victory “.