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Ukrainian Refugees Flee to Poland as Women and Children Leave Behind Homes

Currents News Staff

Many Ukrainians are fleeing their country, leaving behind their entire lives and not knowing if they’ll ever return.

Little hands clutch bigger ones that would give anything just to keep them safe. Sleepy tiny cold faces rest in tired arms. The hum of voices you would expect from the number of people that are here – iit doesn’t exist. It’s as if the shock and disbelief has brought with it an odd silence.

It’s mostly women and children here. Men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave. The people here had to say goodbye to husbands, brothers, and fathers. Then there is the sheer hell of getting here. walking for hours waiting in some cases for days out in the bitter cold, hungry, thirsty.

Ajmal and his family fled Afghanistan last May, getting asylum in Ukraine. His seven-year-old daughter barely made it here.

“It’s very, very cold and my daughter come to shock,” Ajmal said. “We calling she not answer. Finally we try to contact ambulance. The ambulance comes and they checking and they gave us a chance to go there first.”

She clutches one of the donated stuffed animals, replacing a similar one she left behind. But who is going to give her the rest of her life back?

At least this time – unlike in years past – Europe is welcoming refugees. There is a massive, inhumane backlog on the Ukrainian side – but once they finally arrive in Poland, an army of volunteers.

At the train station, a seven-year-old hugs his mother, hiding his face. That’s because he’s not used to the crowds, it’s all scary and confusing.

They’ve been waiting two days here. Her mother is in Kyiv. It’s tearing her apart – but at least her husband – who is not Ukrainian, is out with her. For, how do you say goodbye to the love of your life? The father of your children?

One woman is not the only one in tears – others as well, understandably, not wanting to talk because, they say, it makes them cry too much.

How to Explain the Ukrainian Invasion to Kids

Currents News Staff

The images are scary for anyone. But the war in Ukraine may cause worry and even fear in small children who see or hear about the unrest. Here’s some advice from Cleveland Pediatric Psychologist Vanessa Jensen when talking to them: Keep it straightforward.

“It’s far away and that’s something that grownups do — let the grownups take care of this right now, okay. We get to take care of you and then we’ll make sure the adults take care of that. So, sometimes you just need to simplify it,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa said kids of any age can be bothered by what they’re seeing. The images can show up in nightmares and night terrors. She says it’s a good idea to monitor what the children see and guard against showing disturbing images to younger children.

If a child has seen something upsetting, Vanessa says to ask a lot of questions to gauge what they know and how they feel.

“If you see things or hear things that either you wonder about or are just kind of scary, let’s talk about it,” she says. “Help them normalize those thoughts. It’s OK to feel kind of scared that this is happening in our world.” 

If a child is feeling unsafe, Vanessa says it might help to show them Ukraine on a map so they see the fighting is far away. No matter your child’s age, she says all children need extra support and reassurance from their parents right now.

 

Black Holocaust Museum Reopens and Welcomes Visitors for the First Time Since 2008

Currents News Staff

It’s a celebration of 14 years in the making: America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee has finally reopened their doors to the public over the weekend. 

Carole Cole was among the first visitors through the doors. She shared the historical moment with her 9-year-old daughter Devonn.

“This is a way that she’ll always be able to see it forever, you know, she’ll always be able to witness it, bring her children and their children,” Carole said.

This would have been the 108th birthday of the museum’s founder, Dr. James Cameron. As a teenager, he became the only known survivor of a lynching. He later went on to educate and inspire generations of others. His son Virgil was there to celebrate the re-opening.

“We did it and I thank you so much,” Virgil said.

First-day visitors, like Duane Kimmey, waited in line before finding themselves captivated by the powerful exhibit.

“It’s very important to know your history and where you came from, and how to move forward,” Duane said.

“I think the spirit of Dr. James Cameron, you can feel it throughout the entire museum,” said Andrea Bernstein. 

The museum’s president Robert Davis reflected on both its past and its future.

“We’re finally here,” Robert said. “This day is here.”

The museum was only able to reopen its doors thanks to a 10-million dollar gift from an anonymous donor. That donation will also allow the museum to expand.

Diocese of Brooklyn Stands in Solidarity with Ukraine through Prayers and Protest

By Jessica Easthope

Money and supplies can be sent, voices of support can be heard, but for Ukrainians living in the Diocese of Brooklyn, right now, the most powerful defense in this fight is prayer.

This past weekend, people gathered at Guardian Angel Church in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn for a Mass of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

“I don’t know how to say it, it’s really great that all the world answered for this and gave us support,” said Father Sergiy Emanuel, the parish administrator.

Fr. Sergiy Emanuel is trying to be strong for his parish community, but like so many of them, he too is worried about his family and trying desperately to get some of them over the border into Poland.

“If I see the pictures, when all the men are crying, I try not to cry,” he said.

His only comfort is knowing the world is standing with his people, especially his shepherd – Bishop Robert Brennan.

“My heart breaks with your heart but we are filled with that same sense of hope and that hope comes to us because of Jesus Christ who faced evil right in the eyes and rose over sin and death,” said Bishop Brennan.

On Sunday, parishioners at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Williamsburg, Brooklyn marched to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church to express their unity. Though demonstrations are a display of solidarity, people like Vironika Giacchi want to do more.

“I should be there, every Ukrainian should be there, but I can’t. There are no flights. I try to be as helpful as I can, send money, join protests but I should be there to fight,” she said.

In anticipation of the Russian invasion, Vironika took a first-aid class expecting to go back to Ukraine and help defend her country. But now she’s left with no choice but to stand by her family from 5,000 miles away. Speaking with her mother she said she’s not afraid but ready to fight.

“She said ‘we’re going to fight until we die and we’re not going to give up on the freedom of my country. I’ll die before I become a slave,’ I’m not going to do it,” she said.

Around the globe and in the Diocese of Brooklyn – the prayers for peace continue and so does the hope.

 

Guardian Angel Church is collecting money along with emergency and medical supplies, anything from bandages to air mattresses can be dropped off at the parish.

Guardian Angel Church
2978 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11235

Priests in Ukraine are Going to Bomb Shelters to Celebrate Mass

Currents News Staff

Ukrainians continue to witness scenes of heavy fighting out their windows as Russia continues its invasion of the country.

Those unable to flee the country are taking refuge, in shelters such as subway stations and basements.

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop of Kyiv Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has issued a video to the Catholic community sheltering in place.

“Everyone must remain at home to not risk their lives. Therefore, it will be the Church that will come to them,” said Shevchuk.

He is sending Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests to bomb shelters and basements to celebrate the liturgy for the faithful, and is asking them to offer Mass for a special intention.

“Offer Holy Communion for our military. Today, our lives are in their hands. Offer it for the wounded, the marginalized, and for those who have become refugees in this bloody war in Ukraine,” said Shevchuk.

During the first days of the invasion, Archbishop Shevchuk shared that he was taking shelter under the Cathedral in Kyiv, like these people hunkered down under a Church. He thanked Pope Francis for his offer to help in any way possible, as well as all those who are contributing to the cause.

“I thank all those who are trying to honestly tell the truth about Ukraine today, who are collecting humanitarian aid, collecting medicine, or simply praying for Ukraine’s victory,” said Shevchuk.

Although Ukrainians are preparing for the worst, Catholics like these in Kyiv are showing that their spirits have not been shaken.

How the War in Ukraine is Being Felt in the U.S.

Currents News Staff

In Ukraine, the impact of the war is painfully clear. In the U.S., the effects are more subtle. Oil is alreayd up over $100 dollars a barrel and experts predict the conflict will keep prices high. Pennsylvania House Member of Ways and Means Committee Brendan Boyle says there will be some cost to Americans.

“Ordinary Americans will be paying a little higher at the pump,” Boyle says, “but frankly, I think that is a sacrifice we need to pay because we’ll pay for more later if we don’t successfully stand up to Putin on this.”

As the stock market opens Monday, investors are bracing after a roller coaster last week. Meanwhile, boycotts of Russian-branded alcohol are underway at some stores and bars. 

“Kind of like how you bounce somebody from a bar that just isn’t getting along with everybody else,” said Ryan King, Co-owner of Crumb and Spigot Bar, “so we just decided to dump the Russian vodka for now cause they weren’t playing well with others at the bar.”

Other organizations are finding their own ways to distance themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country.

“He and his government are being treated like the pariahs that they are by the entire world community,” said Boyle.

But the Ukraine war is affecting more than just U.S. finances and affiliations, it’s igniting anger among protesters here and rekindling Cold War-era fear. 

“Top officials in leading NATO countries have allowed themselves to make aggressive comments about our country,” said Putin, “therefore I hereby order the minister of Defense and the chief of the General Staff to place the Russian Army Deterrence Force on combat alert.”

Ending Conflict Requires Dialogue; Vatican Ready to Help, Cardinal Says

By Currents News and Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is ready to facilitate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

“The only reasonable and constructive way to settle differences is through dialogue, as Pope Francis never tires of repeating,” he said.

[Related: Europeans, Shocked at Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Pray for Peace]

“The Holy See, which in recent years has followed the events in Ukraine constantly, discreetly and with great attention, offering its willingness to facilitate dialogue with Russia, is always ready to help the parties to resume that path,” said the cardinal.

In a joint interview with four Italian newspapers Feb. 28, Cardinal Parolin said, “Although what we feared and hoped would not happen has happened — the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine — I am convinced that there is always room for negotiation. It is never too late!”

He reiterated the same appeal he said Pope Francis made during his visit to the Russian ambassador to the Holy See Feb. 25, “stop the fighting and return to negotiations.”

“First and foremost, the military attack, the tragic consequences of which we have all already witnessed, must be stopped immediately,” the cardinal said.

“Communication and listening to each other is necessary in order to fully know and understand the reasons of others,” he said. “When people stop communicating and listening sincerely to each other, they look at each other with suspicion and end up exchanging only mutual accusations.”

He said, “this mutual deafness” has led to open conflict.

“The aspirations of each country and their legitimacy must be the subject of a common reflection, in a broader context and, above all, taking into account the choices of citizens and respecting international law,” he said.

Despite their divisions, both the Orthodox and Catholic churches “agree in expressing grave concern about the situation and in affirming that, apart from any other consideration, the values of peace and human life are what is truly at the heart of the churches, which can play a fundamental role in preventing the situation from worsening further.”

Asked about the risks of the conflict spreading to other European countries given the decision of several Western nations to send weapons to Ukraine, Cardinal Parolin said, “It would be a catastrophe of gigantic proportions, even if, unfortunately, it is not an outcome that can be completely excluded.”

An additional concern, he said, is the “possible return to ‘a new cold war with two opposing blocs.’”

This “disturbing scenario,” he said, “goes against the culture of fraternity that Pope Francis proposes as the only way to build a just, solidarity-based and peaceful world.”

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 2/25/22

More than 100 are dead and tens of thousands of Ukrainians are fleeing the country as the battle for Kyiv wages on.

In an unprecedented move Pope Francis made a visit to the Russian embassy to the Holy See.

After a suspenseful month-long search President Biden has nominated U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States replacing Justice Stephen Breyer.

 

Russia Invasion Marches On as Ukrainian Leaders Encourage Citizens to Defend Country

Currents News Staff

Tension and fear mounts in Ukraine as the capital city of Kyiv lit up overnight.

The bridge leading from Russian-held Crimea into the main port of Ukraine is where President Volodymir Zelensky says the most intense fighting took place and where his country’s army was able to push back Russian troops.

Residents across the country are fleeing for their lives.

 “We don’t know what’s going to happen here next,” one resident said. “We just we’re being safe. I think the best thing right now is not to be here.”

Ukrainian leaders, including former President Petro Poroshanko encouragead those staying to take up arms and defend their country.

“We are standing in line for the weapons. we are standing in line to give our blood to our soldiers,” said Petro.

Even as air raid sirens wailed, Russia continued its propaganda campaign claiming its troops are there on a ‘peacekeeping’ mission.

“Nobody is going to attack the people of Ukraine,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “Nobody is going to somehow degrade the Ukrainian armed forces. We are talking about preventing neo-Nazi and those promoting genocide from ruling this country.” 

President Zelensky says the latest U.S. sanctions against Moscow aren’t enough.

“This morning, we are defending our country alone,” the president said. “Just like yesterday, the most powerful country in the world looked on from a distance. Russia was hit with sanctions yesterday, but these are not enough to get these foreign troops off our soil. Only through solidarity and determination can this be achieved.”