Catholic Mission’s Work with Communities

$5.9M*

distributed to community programs

96

projects in 23 countries

11,107

catechists supported through Catholic Mission programs

As the humanitarian crisis unfolded in Ukraine, Catholic Mission responded to an urgent call for help from its mission partners in Poland and Romania. As an agency in the worldwide network of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), we are grateful to play a part in the critical work of assisting refugees desperately fleeing the conflict.

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Fr Eugen Blaj, National Director of PMS Romania, describes scenes of desperation and compassion as Ukrainians seek shelter across the border. “In Romania, local parishioners provide emergency relief and pastoral support. The majority [of those fleeing] are women with children. The refugee centres are crowded, the services basic and local parishioners do what they can to provide mattresses, bedsheets, pillows and food, as well as nappies and basic sanitary items.” Fr Eugen speaks of the pressures faced families with children:

“Maybe you can stay one night in a room with 20 beds or more, but that is not a normal life. Families are desperately looking for a place where they can stay longer, at least for a few weeks.”

In Poland, refugees are received into local parishes. At the PMS chapel, they pray for world peace. Fr Maciej Bedzinski, PMS National Director in Poland, expresses his gratitude for the support from Australia. “This shows that the Pontifical Mission Societies are one big family, a missionary family,” he says.

“With tears in her eyes, she told me that the men from 18 years above are taken in the war, and maybe their house is destroyed. It is a lot of pain [for the Ukrainian refugees]. If you ask them something, they start to cry.” – Rev. Eugen Blaj, PMS Romania

Lisanjala Health Clinic, Malawi: an oasis of hope

In rural Malawi, Sr Nilcéia* runs the Lisanjala Health Clinic, providing medical support for the local population, especially babies and children. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, explains Peter, who works at the Clinic, illnesses such as malaria and malnourishment are common in Lisanjala, and many families are unable to think beyond their next meal. “Sometimes this next meal is just leaves, grass, bark or roots, which makes them very sick,” he says. “This year, four children under the age of five have died from preventable illnesses [in our facility].” “The need here in Malawi is great,” says Sister Nilcéia. “Our small clinic, a red brick building in the dusty landscape, is an oasis of hope.” With its generous supporters, Catholic Mission helps make possible the lifesaving work of the Lisanjala Health Clinic in Malawi.

*Names altered to protect identities. This story was first shared by our colleagues from Missio UK.