Bishop Borys Gudziak spoke about the positive discovery Ukrainians made during the war
According to Archbishop Gudziak, even though the losses caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine are colossal, Ukrainians are united like never before, and "the world has become Ukrainian."
"The sacrifice of Ukrainians inspires me," he emphasized, "Both young and old, they sacrifice everything. I am greatly inspired by the fact (something I saw with my own eyes) that Ukrainians gather in humanitarian actions like bees in a hive: everyone knows their task. This is happening both in Ukraine and abroad."
As Bishop Borys said, there are 205 parishes of the UGCC in the USA, which are part of four dioceses. For eight years, people of these dioceses have been praying for Ukraine and collecting funds to help the wounded.
"And yet, the level of engagement we've observed in the last six months is unprecedented," he emphasized. "I wish the war was not the incentive to unite, but I'm grateful to God for this response: people are praying, informing the world and those around them and trying to help both in terms of protection and humanitarian needs."
According to the Metropolitan of the UGCC Archdiocese of Philadelphia, both secular and Catholic journalists can help avoid "diverting" attention from the war.
"Information and awareness are important for our protection and the preservation of our people, whether in or outside Ukraine. Therefore, we must find ways to communicate about what is happening. I believe that the openness of people in the West to the needs of Ukraine is relatively high, yet this attention may still continue to decline," Bishop Borys emphasized.
According to the Bishop, the deaths of both civilians and soldiers are the most tragic moments of the war. The world is changing because of their sacrifice, and by cultivating gratitude for all these sacrifices oand all God's gifts, "we can find the strength to survive these trials and these losses."
As the president of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Bishop Borys also spoke about students:
"Today, university students might learn the most important lesson of all - the lesson of war, which sheds light upon many things, making them clear... Today, students see the example of those seeking the truth and sacrificing the most valuable: "There are true things, and there are false things. There is Good, and there is Evil, and I am willing to give my life for that.'"
While addressing the students, Bishop Borys emphasized: "Ukraine needs you as critical thinkers, as people who know their history, who are aware of their dignity and know God's teachings... We have a unique opportunity and a higher calling. The world's gaze is upon us. We must overcome the challenges of this war, and we have to shape the future, for the future will come."
