Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almsgiver, arrived in Zaporizhia on September 16. During the visit, a meeting was held with the Exarch of the Donetsk UGCC.
According to UGCC Information Department, the meeting with Cardinal Krajewski was attended by: Bishop Stepan Menek, Exarch of Donetsk, UGCC, Bishop Jan Sobilo, assistant bishop of the Diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia, Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, as well as Fr Andriy Bukhvak, Chancellor of the Donetsk Exarchate.
Bishop Stepan acquainted the Almsgiver with the situation in the Exarchate of Donetsk, separately touching upon the part of it that is under occupation. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, the Exarchate of Donetsk was divided in half by the front line. Under occupation are priests who continue pastoral work and service for people who have not left the occupied territory.
The Exarch of Donetsk noted the importance of the Vatican's support for Ukraine, especially through humanitarian aid, for those who suffered from the war — lost their loved ones, homes, and jobs, and expressed hope for further cooperation.