Ukraine is still stuck on Good Friday, the pain of a Via Crucis living on its skin for over a year. “We didn’t expect another war Easter,” he sighs Bishop Vitaly Skomarovsky. But he immediately adds: «The cross is suffering and hope at the same time. In fact, there is no resurrection without the cross”. The 59-year-old, formerly auxiliary bishop of Kiev-Zhytomyr, has headed the Latin diocese of Lutsk in the extension of Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol since 2014. The territory includes two regions, those of Volyn and Rivne, on the border with Poland, but especially with Belarus. And the pressure of the country allied with Moscow can be felt. “We are far from the hottest areas, but very close to a state whose threat has persisted since the beginning of the invasion It has a very strong psychological effect », explains the bishop.
Vitaly Skomarovski, Bishop of Lutsk and President of the Latin Bishops of Ukraine – Avvenire
For several weeks he has been the new President of the Ukrainian Bishops’ Conference. Elected just before the main Christian festival celebrated here on April 9th by a minority: the Latin Rite Catholics. The “great” Easter will be next Sunday, according to the Byzantine calendar, and will unite three churches in the country: the Greek Catholic and the two Orthodox, one that has its roots in the Patriarchate of Moscow, the other that split off in 2018. Monsignor Skomarovski is skeptical of the hypothesis of a resurrection truce. “Hostilities will cease when the occupying forces leave the country. We pray every day that this will happen as soon as possible. Only then can one speak less of an armistice and more of true peace. And the return of the territories is essential: in fact, there is no peace without justice». In the Volhynia region, whose shepherd is Skmarovski, the festival is celebrated twice. Why “Two little brothers who were deported to Russia were handed over to their aunt who lives here,” says the prelate. “The whole world knows that Putin has ordered the forcible transfer of thousands of children to the Russian Federation. But we also know that unexpected avenues can open up to bring children back to their families.”
Your Excellency, in time of war, how can we proclaim Christ’s victory over death?
We bishops had proclaimed 2022 the “Year of the Cross”. It was supposed to start on Ash Wednesday, but the war broke out a week before. So the “Year of the Cross” was an auspicious occasion to accompany and support our people wounded by the conflict and to say that the Cross opens us to the Resurrection.
You have now proclaimed the Year of Mercy. Why?
War is the abyss of evil, it affects everyone, it creates poverty. Many had to abandon their homes or even saw them destroyed by bombs. Our response was to concretely reject works of mercy and open our hearts to neighbors in trouble.
Humanitarian aid from abroad remains indispensable for the country. But am I enough?
The flows of essential goods are much smaller today than in the first few months. All of this was inevitable. But the support networks are still very strong and continue to serve Ukraine’s needs.
How is life as a Catholic in the occupied territories?
Many of our believers had to flee. The priests in communion with Rome remain only in Crimea: since the beginning of the occupation, some have stayed on their own initiative, taking on the responsibility of living in such complex countries.
The Easter Vigil in the Latin Cathedral of Zaporizhia – Gambassi
The pope continues to raise appeals against the war and in favor of the “frustrated Ukrainian people”.
What the Pope is doing is unprecedented in the history of the Church. In fact, every Wednesday and Sunday, Francis explicitly commemorates Ukraine and calls for peace. This means that the Pope carries our people in his heart and in his personal prayers. In addition, according to the will of the Pope, last year the whole world and especially Ukraine and Russia were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And since 2014, the Holy See has been constantly sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine: it is a colossal contribution made on behalf of the Pope.
Francis would like to visit Moscow and Kyiv.
We would be very happy to welcome him. And we look forward to being in our country as soon as possible.
Can the Pope be a mediator between Russia and Ukraine?
The Pope is not only a spiritual authority, but also a political one. We know that he works for peace in many areas.
The displaced remain millions. But there are those who choose to return home, perhaps in high-risk places.
It is true that despite the reception our refugees have received, particularly in Europe, many are returning to their homeland. The attachment to the country of origin prevails. Then they prefer to live in the family home again, although they face the constant threat of bombing in towns or villages, which also affects every region of Ukraine.
How to resist under the bombs?
No one can get used to Russian drones or missiles hitting not only military targets or energy centers, but civilian buildings, hospitals, schools and homes every day. Therefore, like the Church, we invite prayer, fasting, and acts of consecration that can help in the face of feelings of powerlessness.
hate sows of war. Can forgiveness be proclaimed?
Hatred is an almost inevitable human response in the face of grief, destruction, the wounded, children victims of abuse, the impossibility of planning for the future. All this leaves deep wounds in the human heart. And only time, God’s grace and forgiveness can heal them.