Ukraine nuncio apostolic interview russia war kukbokas 

Ukraine, the nuncio: the closeness of the Pope heartens the spirits

Ukraine, the nuncio: the closeness of the Pope heartens the spirits In an interview with the Vatican media, Monsignor Visvaldas Kulbokas talks about the crisis situation in the country, on which the specter of a conflict is stirred: people are grateful to Francis, "knowing that you are not alone and forgotten is of great help"

Svitlana Duckhovych - Vatican City These are the hours of diplomacy, which seeks to defuse on the negotiating table the tragedy that would arise if the guns were talking. While the West and Russia are trying to mediate a crisis that has lasted years, from the "low intensity" conflict as analysts define it, which broke out in 2014 in the eastern part of Ukraine, to the current winds of war, for the Ukrainian population these are hours of tension and suspension. "The risk of a possible worsening of the conflict is lived with more courage", observes the apostolic nuncio to the country, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas. To the Vatican media, the prelate reports on the comfort generated by the proximity shown once again by Francis, last Sunday at the Angelus.

How was the Pope's appeal received in Ukraine? Here in Ukraine Pope Francis is among the religious personalities most esteemed by the local population, so even this appeal of the Pope after last Sunday's Angelus prayer was immediately accepted as very important news, which lifts the heart, expresses closeness and solidarity, and in times of difficulty such as in this period in Ukraine knowing that you are not alone and forgotten is already a great help.

What is the climate that is perceived in the population? In this period of my mission as nuncio there is the war, which has been going on for 8 years in the eastern regions of the country, and certainly has created many problems - there are those who have lost loved ones and I have also personally known various people hit hard - there are those who have lost their health, their home, their jobs, but all this has made Ukrainians stronger in the face of difficulties. The risk of a possible worsening of the conflict is lived with more courage. There is concern but at the same time I have also noticed a lot of love for the homeland and also a lot of decision, if there is any difficulty, to do one's part. As many know, here there are native Ukrainians and there are regions with a prevalence of the Russian language, or still others where there is a significant presence of the Polish language, but this month I was able to appreciate the love from all. I am not saying that there are no difficulties, but in general the conflict seems to me to have increased cohesion throughout the country.

How is the local Church experiencing this situation? I answer by referring mainly to the Catholics in Ukraine, but there are also the Orthodox Churches and other churches. As we know, in the Greek-Catholic Churches and also in the Catholic Churches of the Latin rite since 2014, the year of the beginning of the conflict, during all the Eucharistic celebrations and also in other moments of prayer, there is always a moment of prayer. for peace. In recent weeks, the prayer for peace is even more present, stronger, and will be so in a particular way next Wednesday, January 26, at the invitation of Pope Francis and in union with him and with all men of good will.

How important is prayer for the Ukrainian people at this stage? I have asked myself this question many times and my conclusion is that we must consider above all our vocation as believers in Christ and our vocation as human beings. As we have seen, Pope Francis also stressed in last Sunday's appeal that we are not worthy to call ourselves men and women if we do not consider others as our brothers and sisters. The prophet Isaiah said: God does not listen to your prayer if you do not get converted, if you do not live justice, if you do not live mercy. Therefore, this prayer that we live, we live it for peace, but the meaning of this prayer is above all that we convert ourselves, to live fidelity to God and to live brotherhood and mercy towards all, with humility, with courage, with creativity, to say to the Lord: now I entrust everything into your hands.

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Translated from Italian to English - original document can be found here: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/vaticano/news/2022-01/ucraina-nunzio-apostolico-intervista-russia-guerra-kukbokas.html