Press Releases
European church leaders encourage aid workers at Polish–Ukrainian border
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, and 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, Mr Krieger and Cardinal Hollerich invoked 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.”
It continues: “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, they are calling 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 denominations, learning about their humanitarian projects and efforts to welcome refugees to the country. They were hosted by the Polish Ecumenical Council and the Catholic Archbishop of ?ód?, Mgr. Grzegorz Ry?.
An extensive photo gallery from the visit can be viewed here. The Church of Ireland is a member of the Conference of Europe Churches.