INTERVIEW: Priest in Ukraine – “The Church should be with the faithful, with its people”

ACN spoke with Father Antonio Vatseba, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Priest who for the past three years has been the provincial of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, a congregation that has six communities of nuns and priests working in Ukraine.

We know that for security reasons you cannot tell us where you are, but can you tell us if you are in a conflict zone?
Depending on where they are, not all the priests in our congregation can provide details of their whereabouts. We have three communities in the West of Ukraine. They are taking in refugees and coordinating the collection and provision of humanitarian aid to central and eastern Ukraine. I, personally, am in central Ukraine, not far from Kyiv. The situation here is quite calm, although on 24 and 26 February things were very tense, due to missile attacks. Despite all this, we continue to celebrate Mass twice a day and in the evening, we take in refugees who sleep in the grounds of our parish church.

What is it like in the other communities?
There is a community of priests in the region of Donbass, in the East, where fighting is very intense. There, for safety reasons, the priests abandoned the city. They are in the surrounding countryside, where they celebrate Mass every day and hear confessions.

The other community is in the south, near Crimea, where the situation isn’t easy, and the Russian troops have besieged the whole region of Kherson. The priests are safe, in a place where there have been no attacks, and can celebrate Mass daily and support their faithful both morally and with prayer.

The biggest problem in this area is that no humanitarian support reaches the cities and towns in Donbas and Kherson. The lack of food, of phone communications and, in some cities, of light, water and heating, can provoke a terrible humanitarian disaster.

What does it mean for the people to have their priests and Sisters with them?
As I said, despite the danger we continue to celebrate Holy Mass every day. We also continue to offer catechesis and prayer online. We are supporting the refugees, hosting them in our churches, convents, or in the houses of members of the third order. Despite the difficult situation, the sisters continue to care for children and the elderly. Some of them have had to be evacuated to safer places.

We have seen and heard many testimonies of priests and bishops who refuse to leave, despite the danger. Why are they staying?
The Church must be with its faithful, with its people. The Church is not only made up of bishops, priests and religious, but also of laity. Therefore, we should remain with them, so that our laity is not left alone, without spiritual support, especially in such a difficult time. The presence of the pastor is very important to the church community. As Christ himself teaches us, we should be as shepherds, and not abandon our flocks.

Do you know what you will do if your area is occupied by Russian troops?
As long as our lives are not under threat, we will continue to serve, each in his own station. This is what our Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has already been experiencing since the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbass. Thanks to the bravery of the local priests, our Church continues to serve in the Crimea and in Donbas.

With this conflict there is a danger that the people will be overcome by hatred. As a priest, what can you do to help people avoid this?
This is a serious threat. During this difficult time of war, which sows hatred and violence, we should preach charity. Everybody, civilians and soldiers alike, should be guided by love, not hatred. These were the exact words of the primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, which summarise this principle of love in times of war: “Let us learn to love in this tragic time! Let us not be overwhelmed by hatred, let us not use its words or language”.

ACN has goiven emergency aid to priests and religious in the dioceses of the east, and in Kyiv, and has been helping the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for several years. Do you have a message for our benefactors?
I want to address the faithful with the words of Christ: “When you hear of wars and revolts, be not afraid…” (Luke 21:9). At times like these in Ukraine, we not only hear of war, but we see it and experience it in the streets of our own cities. Regardless, we should chase fear away with prayer and with the love for our homeland.

War is a manifestation of evil, and evil is the absence of good. Christians should, first of all, defend themselves and also try to seek out the best for our enemies, praying for their conversion. I ask you to pray for a speedy end to this war Russia is waging on Ukraine, and for the conversion of the Russian political leaders. This moment in history reminds us of the plea made by the Virgin Mary in Fatima, which continues to apply. Let us pray, therefore, that her request be fulfilled. Let us pray together, and entrust this request to Blessed Mary, that it may finally be accomplished.

How does this financial support help priests, religious and the people on the ground where you are?
The aid we get from ACN every year is very useful for the intellectual formation of our seminarians, our priests, and their personal needs, as well as for several pastoral projects in the parishes where we are present. Therefore, we are very grateful to all our benefactors, and you should know that you are constantly in our prayers.