UKRAINE
As is known, on February 24, the army of the Russian Federation began its invasion of Ukraine. In this country there are about 30 Oblates in 9 houses, in addition to the community in Crimea and another in the Russian Caucasus.
One of the places most affected by the war has been the city of Chernihiv, where we have an Oblate house. Located on the border with Russia and Belarus, the city of Chernihiv has been overrun by enemy forces since the beginning of the invasion by the Russian Federation. On March 1, it began to be shelled with “Grad” rockets, and it seems that Russian troops were joined by Belarusian troops. Father Piotr Wróblewski, OMI, noted that the first shelling ended around noon: “So far, everything is going well. We have everything, even Internet and coffee. The night was quiet, everyone slept well. We hope that the day will also be quiet”, wrote the missionary this morning.
In the basements of the Oblate house, daily life goes on, despite the danger heard overhead.
Since the beginning of the invasion, the crypt of the church has served as a bomb shelter, where about 40 people, sometimes more, come to spend the night. In addition, another 20-30 people live permanently in the basement of the Oblates’ house, to shelter from the constant shelling. They are mostly young mothers with children who are looking for a safe place for their children, and to be able to help each other, as there are now problems with the supply of food and other basic necessities, and there are long lines.
The superior of the community, Father Piotr Wróblewski, has shared this video showing the situation.
Here is the transcript of the video:
“Praise the Lord, greetings to everyone!
[Father Piotr then explains to the children that he is recording a video].
We are in the basement of the [Oblate] house. Here we live, here we eat, here we cook upstairs, here we pray, here we had Mass yesterday [Sunday, February 28]….
We greet everyone heartily, we promise our prayers, and we also ask you above all to pray for us……
We also have some men who have taken charge of the situation, so that everything is under control. As you see, we are holding up well. We pray a lot and, again, we greet you and ask for your prayers.”
Other Oblate communities in Ukraine are also taking in refugees who have lost their homes or are heading for the border, for example, the Tyvriv community.
On March 2, the Superior of the Ukrainian Delegation sent a letter to Oblates around the world thanking them for all the support they have received so far, and informing them that the Oblates and our dependents are doing well. He also added that the many people who offer their financial support every day can direct their donations to the following bank account.
EUR
- Beneficiary account EUR: PL 21102040270000120216319040
- Beneficiary name: PROKURA MISYJNA MISJONARZY OBLATÓW MARYI NIEPOKALANEJ
- Beneficiary bank name: Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
- Beneficiary bank code ( Swift): BPKOPLPW
USD
- Beneficiary account USD: PL 91102040270000160216319039
- Beneficiary name: PROKURA MISYJNA MISJONARZY OBLATÓW MARYI NIEPOKALANEJ
- Beneficiary bank name: Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
- Beneficiary bank code ( Swift): BPKOPLPW
(Material based on an article published on oblaci.pl)
