CV News Feed // A Ukrainian Bishop is touring the Southeast United States to raise awareness about the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi of the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr is currently visiting Mississippi, and plans to visit other dioceses in the southeast in the coming days.
The visit comes as the war between Ukraine and Russia approaches its two-year mark. Over 500,000 casualties have occurred as a result of the war.
Bishop Kryvytskyi is making his visit after Bishop Louis Kihneman of the Diocese of Biloxi invited him to visit the dioceses two years ago, right after the conflict broke out.
Kihneman and Kryvytskyi have had a long friendship since they met in Rome six years ago, when they both attended the Master of Spirituality Conference.
“Even though the world is forgetting everything that is actually happening, I wanted to remind everybody that the war is still going on and we continue to need your support,” Kryvytskyi said to WLOX News.
Kryvytskyi brings with him the stories of the thousands of Ukrainian Christians enduring the hardships of the invasion. He also is sharing the testimony of Ukranian Christians, asking for the local church’s prayers and financial support.
“These dangers occur every day. That is why we ask the international community to help us protect these people so they won’t die,” Kryvytskyi said.
Kihneman joined in Kryvytskyi’s request for support, asking parishioners to help support those struggling in Ukraine.
“They lost everything. They desperately needed our help. It’s a joy to have him here to celebrate our friendship, but also for the people in Ukraine and the people in his diocese,” said Kihneman. “Our prayers are to join with their prayers for peace and let there be a just peace that happens.”
