According to the Catholic bishop of Odessa, Stanislav Szyrokoradiuk, the Russian war of aggression is the price Ukraine has to pay for its independence. “We already knew this war was coming,” says Szyrokoradiuk, who celebrates Holy Mass up to six times a day during these times of crisis.
The desire to belong to the European Union has exacerbated the situation. The fact that the country also wanted to leave its Soviet past behind was the last straw, he explained to Kathpress.
“Churches are fuller than before the war”
According to the bishop of the southern Ukrainian city, it is important for the Ukrainian population that the priests and religious have not left the country despite the war. Since February, he has celebrated Holy Mass four times a day and even six times on Sundays. “The churches are now fuller than before the war.”
This spiritual support is important, even if the situation in Odessa is slowly improving. Many people return from abroad and new refugees come from other parts of Ukraine. More and more journalists are also on the scene. This shows that the city is gradually becoming safer, but that attacks are still to be expected every day.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
