Ukrainian Priest in Linz Emphasizes the Impact of War on Community, Calls for Support and End to Conflict

Linz, March 29, 2024 (KAP) For the Ukrainians in Upper Austria, war is omnipresent. This is emphasized by the Ukrainian priest Andrii Kityk in the current issue of the church newspaper of the Linz diocese. Kityk is pastor of the pastoral care center “St. Josaphat” in the Old Cathedral in Linz for the believers of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Upper Austria. The war is a constant topic, “but we don’t talk about personal experiences when we meet each other,” said Kityk. “The fact that we come together as a community is part of the process of coming to terms with it; we understand each other even without words.” The painful topics that everyone carries within themselves should only be discussed in intimate circles so as not to make the suffering even greater.

Since Russia’s attack on February 24, 2022, nothing in Ukraine has been the same – not even in the life of Andrii Kityk. The young priest was sent from Lemberg to Innsbruck in 2021 to study his doctorate, and he now lives in Linz as a pastor. The community had grown significantly as a result of the war, he reported.

Around 60 people attended the Sunday service in the Old Cathedral. They come from all over Upper Austria. Many people can’t come every Sunday because of the distance, said the priest: “But everyone is welcome at any time.” – Especially at Easter, which the Greek Catholic community of Linz celebrates at the same time as the Roman Catholic Church.

But Andrii Kityk is also inviting people to Holy Week a second time, according to the Orthodox calendar of his homeland, according to which Easter Sunday falls on May 5th this year. “More people will come than now,” said the priest with conviction. Because the second, later Easter builds a bridge home.

Sticking together and helping each other is crucial in the current situation in Ukraine, the clergyman emphasized. The members of the parish therefore supported a school with 430 children in the city of Kherson. The priest reported that the children had to be taught in the basement for two years. A laundry also receives help: “If you are constantly threatened by shelling, it is not easy to be able to do your laundry regularly.”

The quicker the war ends, the better, because people are exhausted, said Pastor Andrii. But that cannot be done without recognizing the reality, namely the suffering and distress of the Ukrainian people. He did not find the Pope’s appeal for the Ukrainian people to raise the white flag helpful.

Before negotiations are possible, Putin must first recognize Ukraine’s right to exist. The Pope should influence Putin on this, said Father Andrii. He also remembered two priests from his church who were kidnapped by the Russians. The Pope should also advocate for them with Putin.

When asked about his expectations for the future, the priest said: “I have no answer. I can only support. We are trying to stand on Calvary until the end. But I believe we will see the resurrection of our people.”

2024-03-29 07:15:47
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