Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki is accompanying the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, during his mission to the Eastern European country. “Unfortunately, the war continues, and at the moment we do not even see any hope for its end. Only God can bring it to a stop.”
By Roberto Paglialonga in Lviv
“The entire population of Ukraine is very tired. And unfortunately, at the moment, we see no hope for the end of the war.” The words of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki, the Latin Catholic Archbishop of Lviv, in an interview with Vatican Media. He is currently in Ukraine accompanying the visit of Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, who is visiting the country as the Pope’s special envoy for the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the structures of the Latin Rite Catholic Church. The first stop of the visit is Lviv, the city near the Polish border.
Your Excellency, nearly four and a half years have passed since the beginning of the conflict. What is the situation of the Ukrainian people today?
Unfortunately, the war continues, and for the moment we see no hope for it to end. The entire Ukrainian population is exhausted because everyone has been affected by the war. Either family members are fighting, or neighbors and colleagues are. There have also been many deaths. We constantly receive tragic news from the front. People here are also losing hope because not everyone can find work, and many are emigrating, leaving their homes to reunite with husbands or wives who left for Europe four or five years ago. Even here in Lviv, although there is no fighting every day, we frequently hear air raid sirens. People have to go down into shelters, work is interrupted, and so are school lessons. Yet people continue to go to church, they pray, and they place their hope in God alone. Only He can bring this terrible war to an end.
Lviv has been struck several times during the conflict. How do people manage to recover and return to normal life after a bombing?
It is not easy, because almost every attack leaves people injured or dead, and homes and property are destroyed. This year, however, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s visit, during which he told us: “Do not be afraid. Even in these times you will encounter difficulties, but with Christ you will overcome them.” That is why our only hope is prayer. People come to church, they pray. Every day after Mass we chant prayers of supplication and hold prayer gatherings to ask for God’s mercy and for peace in our country.
On Sunday, Archbishop Gallagher will travel to Berdychiv. What significance will the celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel have, and what value can this communal gathering bring?
Berdychiv is our national shrine. People come there from all over Ukraine to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us. Above all, we need this unity, this strength that comes from prayer, solidarity, and words of hope. I believe that Archbishop Gallagher, who is visiting us for the second time (he first visited Ukraine in May 2022, just weeks after the outbreak of the war), will fill our hearts with peace, joy, and hope, because he represents Pope Leo, who remains close to our country through his prayers and his appeals for peace. During the Angelus, the Holy Father often remembers us and gives us his blessing. We hope that this visit, which also includes official meetings with the Ukrainian government, will bear fruit for peace in our country.
Your Excellency, many people in the West seem to have grown accustomed to the war. It is almost as though it has become the new normal. What can the Church in Ukraine do to awaken consciences to the cause of peace?
Bishops’ conferences, together with our priests and bishops, continue to make appeals. From time to time we travel abroad to visit our brother bishops, fellow priests, and friends. They always welcome us and give us the opportunity to speak to their parish communities. I believe we must never become indifferent to the suffering of other countries, including the Holy Land. Above all, we must show our unity as Christian brothers and sisters and always remember one another. We ask people to support us through prayer and through humanitarian assistance, which remains urgently needed here in Ukraine.
