ACN launches Emergency Appeal for Ukraine

Aid to the Church in Need Australia (ACN) has launched an emergency appeal to support the Catholic Church in Ukraine.

ACN is committed to strengthening and supporting the Catholic Church in Ukraine, as we have done for the past 70 years. As such, Aid to the Church in Need International has committed 1.5 million AUD as an immediate emergency help to support the work of the Church in Ukraine. We will continue to stand by our brothers and sisters in faith as they undergo trying times and seek to bring peace to a country that is surrounded by turmoil and unrest.

Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, the Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, has given his support to ACN's emergency appeal for Ukraine. “I give my blessing to this appeal of Aid to the Church in Need to seek financial and spiritual support for the Catholic Church in Ukraine. I thank the people of Australia for reaching out to their brothers and sisters in Christ at this difficult time. May the Lord protect Ukraine and allow the Church to continue to shine as a light and hope for the people.”

Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR

ACN started its support to the Ukrainian Christians in exile in 1953. Following the legal restoration of the Church in 1990, after years of persecution, ACN's support was crucial to help rebuild church life. ACN currently has many projects in Ukraine. The organisation supports the formation of around 900 seminarians of both rites, Latin and Eastern, besides the upkeep and restoration of seminaries, churches and monasteries. Special support is also provided to members of religious orders who help the poor and needy on the ground, with material, financial and spiritual assistance.

Thomas Heine-Geldern, the Executive President of ACN International, has also made a statement about the situation in Ukraine. He states “This conflict is also a psychological war. People need consolation, strength and support. The immediate emergency grant by ACN, in addition to its current support, will strengthen the Catholic Church in Ukraine in its commitment to stay on the ground and keep serving its flock in the face of military and economic war... We wish to assure our prayers for the people of Ukraine that through the intercession of Our Lady of Peace, they may be spared the pain of further violence and loss of life.”

With your support, we can help priests, religious, seminarians and the Catholic faithful to continue their mission in Ukraine. Please consider giving an offering to help ease the burden they are enduring during this time and please keep praying for peace and protection for this country and its inhabitants who have already endured so much suffering and pain. Despite difficulties and hardship, the Church promises not to abandon its faithful, whatever might happen.

Pope Francis has declared Ash Wednesday, 2 March, to be a day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine.

To make an offering please visit www.aidtochurch.org/ukraine

You are free to reproduce this story in your own publications.

To view images related to this media release click here.
To view this media release as a PDF click here.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Contact:
Teresa Hodal
Communications Coordinator – Aid to the Church in Need
E: media@aidtochurch.org
P: (02) 9167 9517 (direct)
www.aidtochurch.org

The Mass is the most effective prayer that could be said on behalf of those who have died. ACN can arrange recurring annual Masses for your dearly departed loved ones.