(Vatican Radio) On Wednesday 20th April at his general audience, Pope Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine and called for a collection on Sunday for Catholics throughout the world.Ukraine is in the midst of a “forgotten conflict” which has been ongoing since February 2014. Following the overthrow of Ukraine’s government in 2014, violence broke out between the East and West. Russia entered the conflict by deploying arms and troops to pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and subsequently annexed Crimea. Heavy fighting has seen more than 9000 people killed and more than 1.7 million displaced as a result.Georgia Gogarty spoke to Andrij Waskowycz, the President of Caritas Ukraine to find out more about the current situation there.Listen: The country is currently facing a humanitarian crisis. 1.5 million people are on the brink of starvation due to the lack of food available, particularly in Eastern Ukraine and along the contact line. This has resulted in interr...
(Vatican Radio) On Wednesday 20th April at his general audience, Pope Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine and called for a collection on Sunday for Catholics throughout the world.
Ukraine is in the midst of a “forgotten conflict” which has been ongoing since February 2014. Following the overthrow of Ukraine’s government in 2014, violence broke out between the East and West. Russia entered the conflict by deploying arms and troops to pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and subsequently annexed Crimea. Heavy fighting has seen more than 9000 people killed and more than 1.7 million displaced as a result.
Georgia Gogarty spoke to Andrij Waskowycz, the President of Caritas Ukraine to find out more about the current situation there.
Listen:
The country is currently facing a humanitarian crisis. 1.5 million people are on the brink of starvation due to the lack of food available, particularly in Eastern Ukraine and along the contact line. This has resulted in interrupted food supply, due to shelling and heavy artillery, according to Mr Waskowycz. Many have left certain territories due to the dangerous living conditions meaning that “you don’t see the people in need”. Mr Waskowycz also explained that not even Caritas understand the situation in certain areas of Ukraine as they are not under the control of the Ukrainian government.
The aid Caritas is providing is not only helping people with basic needs but is also providing “psychological assistance” to those who have lost family members and witnessed the atrocities of war. The organization are conducting livelihood initiatives which helps people find jobs, develop their CVs and offer grants to help start their own businesses. Caritas is not only working on the humanitarian side but is also aiding people “to build a perspective for their future”.
When asked about the significance of the Pope’s appeal, Mr Waskowycz said that “he had broken through the silence” and that the Pope had highlighted the importance of the “responsibility we have globally for the people in need”. He hopes that people will respond to his call.
The Augustine Institute's new facilities in Florissant, Missouri. / Credit: Boeing Company and Augustine InstituteCNA Staff, Apr 23, 2024 / 13:30 pm (CNA).The Augustine Institute, a Catholic educational and evangelization apostolate based in Denver for nearly two decades, announced on Tuesday that it will be moving its operations to a new campus in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The institute, founded in 2005 as a Catholic graduate theology school, currently has an enrollment of 550 students. It says on its website that it exists to serve "the formation of Catholics for the new evangelization" by "equip[ping] Catholics intellectually, spiritually, and pastorally to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ."The organization announced on Tuesday that it had purchased the former Boeing Leadership Center in Florissant, Missouri, just outside of downtown St. Louis. The school will "begin transitioning its operations over the next few years," it said in ...
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