The President of Caritas Ukraine met with the Vatican Secretary of State

At the end of May, Caritas Ukraine President Tetiana Stawnychy and Caritas-Spes Executive Director Fr. Viacheslav Hrynevych met in the Vatican with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin

At the end of May, the President of Caritas Ukraine, Tetiana Stawnychy, and the Executive Director of Caritas-Spes, Fr. Viacheslav Hrynevych, met in the Vatican with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The meeting took place with the support of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas.

During the meeting, representatives of the two largest Catholic charitable organisations in Ukraine shared updated information on the humanitarian situation, the challenges Ukrainians face every day amid the full-scale war, and the service carried out by Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes in response to people’s needs.

“We shared information about the real situation in Ukraine, with particular attention to people’s needs and how Caritas is responding to them. It was a very open and personal exchange,” said Tetiana Stawnychy.

She also expressed gratitude to Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas for his continued support and assistance to the work of both Caritas organisations in Ukraine.

“From the first days of his service in Ukraine, the Nuncio has always been open to cooperation and has always been present. He works to support the mission of the Church and both Caritas organisations. This is a very important sign of support for us,” the President of Caritas Ukraine emphasised.

Special attention during the meeting was given to issues currently in focus for the Holy See, including the return of Ukrainian children and other humanitarian initiatives.

According to Tetiana Stawnychy, an important aspect of the meeting was the joint witness of the two organisations:

“It was important that Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes spoke with one voice about the situation in Ukraine and the needs of people affected by the war. This shared presentation of our service is highly meaningful.”

Fr. Viacheslav Hrynevych stressed that the meeting itself was a sign of the Holy See’s attention to the Ukrainian people.

“This is a significant sign of attention to Ukraine and of the willingness to listen, understand and be involved. We felt that Ukraine has not been forgotten and that there is solidarity with us. Together, we looked for answers and discussed opportunities that may be implemented in the humanitarian field in the future,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes presented Cardinal Parolin with a graphic artwork by Ukrainian designer Dmytro Kurshynskyi. The symbolic piece draws attention to groups that are especially vulnerable during the war — children and older people.

The meeting became another sign of the Holy See’s continued attention to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and its support for the service the Church provides to those affected by the war.

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