Delegation visits Ukraine communities helped by Catholic organizations

By JULIE MINDA

When a trio of leaders from Catholic organizations visited Ukraine in March, they saw how the Catholic Church and related charitable organizations are fortifying efforts by parish and other church ministries to accompany and aid people who have lost family members, homes and peace of mind in the war with Russia.

Over 10 days, Msgr. Robert Vitillo, Bruce Compton and Christian Kostko learned firsthand about some of the church’s relief work in Ukraine. They visited parish-run centers where mental health therapy and psychosocial support aim to ease emotional and physical suffering. The delegation called on ministries housing and car- ing for displaced children.

They spoke with seminarians gaining the skills and knowledge they’ll use to minister to parishioners who will no doubt be processing the trauma of war for years, if not lifetimes.

Msgr. Vitillo, who led the delegation, has made several trips to Ukraine in his

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