March 20, 2022 - "Archbishop Boris Gudziak of Philadelphia"

Archbishop Boris Gudziak, the archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia was in Washington on March 10, 2022 for a memorial prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family.  The prayer service was offered to honor those killed in the war undertaken in recent days by invading Russian forces. In a press conference held before the memorial prayer service Archbishop Gudziak made the following remarks:
 
“In the last 250 years, every time you see the Russian occupation of Ukraine, where the Ukrainian Catholic Church is ministering, the Ukrainian Catholic Church has been strangled.” The archbishop also mentioned that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was also “extinguished” by Russian occupiers.
 
Archbishop Gudziak was very discouraged that civilians and civilian targets are being attacked by Russian forces.  In the early days of the Russian invasion there have been more civilian than military casualties.  Escape routes out of harm’s way “have become corridors of death.”
 
Comparing the war to the biblical story of David and Goliath, Archbishop Gudziak noted that “Ukraine is holding its own against the second largest army in the world.”  Within Ukraine, in addition to military personnel, about 250,000 men and women have joined territorial civil defense units and about 100,000 nationals living abroad have returned home to fight.
 
Archbishop Gudziak commented that the Ukraine was being punished because it was a democracy, with a free press, freedom of conscience, free elections…
 
A week before the memorial prayer service, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  TPS allows foreign nationals to remain and work in the United States during a period in which it is deemed unsafe for them to return to their home country.  In response to this designation and the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Conference, issued the following statement:
 
“I have watched with deep concern, along with so many others around the world, the unfolding events in Ukraine and the devastation facing the Ukrainian people. Many Ukrainians have demonstrated incredible resolve and bravery in the face of danger over recent days. Many others, especially children and the elderly, have been forced to seek safety, either within Ukraine or in neighboring countries. In these internally displaced persons and refugees, we are reminded of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt and the vulnerability of our infant Lord.

“We welcome the Secretary’s designation of TPS for Ukraine, which provides important protections for Ukrainians already in the United States. As Catholics, we believe wholeheartedly in protecting the sanctity of every human life. This includes addressing situations in which people are needlessly put into harm’s way.
 
“The United Nations has indicated that this conflict could result in five million refugees fleeing Ukraine. As we have for many decades, the Catholic Church in the United States will continue to welcome and serve refugees from all walks of life. Though the importance of humanitarian assistance cannot be understated, we also call on the Biden Administration and Congress to ensure that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program receives all necessary resources to reflect our country’s true capacity for providing refuge and welcome.
 
“I join my brother, Archbishop Gomez, in his solidarity with our Holy Father and the Church around the world in praying for peace to prevail. May Saint Joseph, who once sought safety for his own family, intercede for us and all those forced to leave their homes in the face of violence.”
 
Let’s ask our Blessed Lady, Queen of Peace, to pray for the people of Ukraine at this time of violence and strife.  O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
 
Until next week,
 
Fr. John