In 2014, the peninsula of Crimea in southern Ukraine was annexed by Russian forces, triggering a conflict that rages on up to this day.
Even at the height of this political tensions, the Catholic Church in Ukraine exerted efforts to fight hatred with goodness, with the ultimate aim of resolving the conflict peacefully and making Ukraine a free country.
Speaking at a meeting in Rimini, Italy hosted by the nonprofit organisation Aid to the Church in Need, Ukranian priest Fr. Oleksandr Khalayim told of how Catholic religious workers are making people feel God's love despite the conflict.
Fr. Khalayim expressed how the Catholic Church in Ukraine "stayed close to all" and was always "ready to share the fate of his flock" even from the beginning of the conflict two years ago.
"There are many priests who give their service as chaplains and give strength and hope to young soldiers to resist in this senseless war," he said, as quoted by The Catholic News Agency.
The priest added that the Church continues to hold prayer meetings for peace, involving all denominations in these events.
Unfortunately, however, the political conflict has also caused a rift between the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. Fr. Khalayim said this situation is bad for the faithful and for the country in general.
"More than a conflict, this attitude can lead to isolation of the ecclesial community," Fr. Khalayim lamented, adding that the rift happened not because of "loyalty to the commandments of God, but because of political views."
The priest also stressed that so many people are still suffering due to the political tension in his country, and helping them should remain to be the priority.
"The conflict in the territory east of Ukraine has already taken more than 9,500 people's lives, and almost 800,000 people live in war zones, or at least close to them. There are nearly 2 million people who were forced to leave their homes," he stressed. "And unfortunately, in recent times the situation has worsened," he said.
