His Eminence Yacek Pyl, Auxiliary Bishop of Odessa and Simferopol diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine commented on the current situation in his diocese, and, in particular, touched the issue of the annexation of Crimea. This was stated in an interview with EWTN News, published on Catholic media center website.
“My diocese was partitioned, but canonically nothing has changed. Our Ordinary Bishop Bronislaw Bernadsky has a residence in Odessa. As auxiliary bishop, I live in Crimea from the beginning, and on December 22, 2014, the Holy See appointed me Pastoral Delegate to the District of Crimea and Sevastopol, which, according to the agreement with the Russian government, was established exclusively for administrative purposes, and the Catholic Church continue to function in this region. The Vatican does not officially recognize the annexation of Crimea,” said Bishop Jacek Pyl.
"We pray and try to reregister the Church, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation. Some believers left Crimea and some new believers came. Annexation of Crimea divided some families and brought confusion. Church tries to overcome these divisions and unite people around Christ,” he said.
Bishop plans to invite a contemplative Catholic Order “that they blessed this land."
“They are able to ask with the prayer many blessings for the people who live here. And first destroy the walls of prejudice and various atheistic customs rooted in the years of communism in human hearts. This monastery in Crimea would be a sign of God's presence and support for the Catholic population, which is a minority here,” he says.
When asked what the diocese needs in these times, the bishop said: “We need prayers and spiritual support to continued evangelization in this region so that people can find peace in themselves under new circumstances and convert.”
According to the hierarch now Kirche in Not and Renovabis from Germany provide assistance to his Church