The Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Archbishop William Edward Lori of Baltimore, visited Kyiv and Bucha on October 19-20 as part of a visit to Ukraine. The purpose of the visit was to express solidarity with the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine and to support the Ukrainian people in times of war.
Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore is the chaplain of the Knights of Columbus worldwide, with more than 2 million Knights under his spiritual care. As the archbishop noted, he came to Ukraine to “express solidarity with the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine, to thank them for their excellent humanitarian work, and to get closer to the people who have suffered and are suffering because of the ongoing war.”
On October 19, Archbishop Lori visited Bucha. There he met with children who lost their parents to the war and gave them warm clothes from the Knights of Columbus.
Later that evening, at the Basilian Monastery in Kyiv, the guest had dinner with the families of the fallen defenders of Ukraine and assured them of constant prayer and support.
On Sunday, October 20, the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus participated in the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, led by Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy, Exarch of Odesa, National Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine.
In his sermon, Archbishop Lori emphasized the importance of hope, endurance and faith. “Although these times of war have brought untold suffering, know that you are not alone. You are surrounded by the prayers and support of the faithful from all over the world,” he emphasized. ”Your faith and your courage in the face of war is a powerful testimony to the world. While experiencing unbearable pain, you still turn to God, placing your hope in Him.”
The Archbishop also spoke of God's presence in difficult times: “God is with you even when you face the horrors of war. He has recognized you as His own and will never forget you.”
In conclusion, he urged everyone to trust God and pray: “God will bless you! God will protect you! God will give you peace!”
After the service, Archbishop Lori visited the crypt of the cathedral where His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar rests and held a fraternal meeting with the Knights of Columbus from Kyiv and the surrounding area.
According to the Information Department of the UGCC, this visit of Archbishop William Lori to Ukraine was the second during the full-scale war.
“The war has become very real for me and my heart,” he said, adding: ”I will bring a message to the world community that we must stand together, we must pray for peace in Ukraine."