Exactly four years ago, on 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin’s Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, the number of those killed and wounded has risen exponentially, and the figure that stands out most starkly is that of children. According to UNICEF data, bombardments have killed or injured more than 3,200 children since the beginning of the full-scale war. Last year saw a 10% increase in child casualties compared to the previous year. Ukraine has now become the most heavily mined country in the world, where one in ten victims of landmines is a minor, and where approximately 23% of the territory is potentially contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance. In Ukraine, 24 February is a day of commemoration and reflection. Events and initiatives are taking place in several cities to remember the victims of the war and to promote peace. In Italy, too, special vigils and demonstrations are planned in various cities. The European Commission will be in Kyiv to mark the anniversary. SIR news agency interviewed His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Your Beatitude, on 24 February we will enter the fifth year of war. With what state of mind do you approach this date? What have these four years left you with?
Within me, there are profound contrasts: despair and hope, endless tears and joy at seeing how people, despite the freezing temperatures, the lack of electricity, the attacks and the constant sirens, do not give up. The memories of those who are no longer with us also return, and these memories reveal a deep pain. I realise more and more that we have not yet processed this pain: it is accumulating. I speak about myself, but also about the people around me. Often this pain is set aside in order to endure, to move forward.
But we are not machines; we are human beings.
For this reason, today we feel an urgent need to care for priests, consecrated men and women, and pastoral workers who serve the people and who are at the limits of human endurance, offering themselves as a holocaust in order to save lives.
You mentioned priests. How are they living through this situation?
We conducted a study on their mental state. One of the questions was: “Would you like to take a holiday?”. The overwhelming majority answered no, not because they do not feel the need, but because “I cannot leave my parish”. At first, I thought: “How good they are, how strong”. Then, looking more deeply, we understood that this is a sign of the trauma they are experiencing: they are afraid to go away, they fear that something might happen in their absence. The wounds are increasing. I am convinced that true peace, the space where we can truly live, will also come through healing the traumas of war. Our survival and our victory will depend not only on weapons, but on our ability to deal with trauma.
A war anniversary is also the beginning of a new year of war. Are you able to think about the future?
Neither the people nor the bishops have stopped dreaming. We have never ceased to work for the future.
We are planning our pastoral programmes for another year of service to the people. I told the Pope how our Synod functions in these circumstances, how the structures of the Curia operate, how we are able to be a Church not only locally in Ukraine but a Church that brings together faithful and bishops throughout the world. The Pope said to me: “This is a light from Ukraine”. That is how we look to the future: the Lord will be with us. We shall survive and we shall prevail for yet another year.
What prayer, hope or message would you like to offer on this anniversary?
The Ukrainian Parliament has declared 24 February a National Day of Prayer. Everyone will pray. In Kyiv, an ecumenical prayer service is being organised in Saint Sophia Cathedral and also in Parliament. We bishops will be in Brazil. The prayer is simple and radical: “Lord, stop the war. You can do it. Not the presidents or the powerful of this world, but you. For it is human sin that gives rise to wars, but it is the holiness of God that sets a limit to sin and to war. Peace will come from God”.
