EU church leaders call for peace and justice at Polish-Ukrainian border

Cardinal Hollerich and Rev Krieger on the border

Source: COMECE/CEC

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and Rev Christian Krieger, Presidents of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) respectively, have issued a special joint Easter message from the border between Poland and Ukraine, where they had a two-day visit to some of the facilities welcoming and supporting refugees fleeing from Ukraine due to the Russian invasion that began on 24 February 2022.

The two Presidents were touched by the human tragedy reflected in the eyes of the refugees they have encountered during their visit. They also expressed sincere gratitude to all professionals, volunteers, national and religious authorities for the concrete solidarity put into place to welcome and support people who have lost everything due to war.

More than two million people, mostly women and children, have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border since the beginning of the war. It is from here, from the Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossing point between Poland and Ukraine, that, in view of Easter festivities, Rev Krieger and Cardinal Hollerich called for prayer and action for peace in Ukraine and beyond.

"The Paschal mystery of Christ takes us to the heart of injustice, violence and suffering", reads their message. "The story of Christ's passion and death echoes human suffering and tragedies experienced in many parts of our world, not least by Ukrainians in their own country and wherever the roads of exile have taken them."

"In Christ, God joins our humanity, taking upon himself our limitations and our hatred, transforming our impasses, our indignation, our feelings of fatality and despair into hope through trust in him. This transformation takes place within the human being and in the world that God loves." This Easter, CEC and COMECE Presidents call everyone to "continue to believe in the horizon that God's grace, manifested in Christ, opens before our eyes."

During their visit to Poland, the two presidents visited local churches from various confessions, learning about their humanitarian projects and efforts to welcome refugees to the country. CEC and COMECE Presidents were hosted by the Polish Ecumenical Council and the Catholic Bishop of Łódź, Mgr. Grzegorz Ryś.

LINKS

Easter Message: www.comece.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Message-08042022-Final-joint-CEC-COMECE.pdf

Video from the border: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCvzb6LNNdk