Brussels: A delegation from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has returned from a powerful and emotional solidarity mission to Ukraine, where Church leaders sought to connect directly with communities ravaged by Russia’s ongoing war and reaffirm the Church’s steadfast support for peace, healing, and human dignity.
Led by Bishop Mariano Crociata, the three-member delegation journeyed to western Ukraine to personally witness the suffering caused by the conflict. “We wanted to see the reality with our eyes and touch it with our hands,” said Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, COMECE General Secretary, speaking to Vatican News after the visit. “We saw wounds not only on the land but etched into the lives of those enduring this brutal war.”
Throughout the brief but emotionally charged visit, the bishops met with leaders of both the Greek Catholic and Latin Churches in Ukraine, participated in a funeral for a fallen Ukrainian soldier, and visited various charity missions supporting war veterans and bereaved families. The delegation also toured humanitarian centers assisting the physically and emotionally scarred survivors of conflict.
One of the most striking moments, Fr. Barrios recounted, was witnessing the funeral of a young soldier. “We stood with his grieving family and prayed together with the Greek Catholic bishop,” he said. “It was an overwhelming moment of shared sorrow and shared faith.” He added that the cemetery, with row upon row of graves of young soldiers, offered a haunting visual of the war’s toll.
Moved by the depth of resilience among the Ukrainian people, Fr. Barrios noted an interaction with a soldier who declared, “We are not only fighting for Ukraine, but for Europe, for democracy, and for the rule of international law.” Another poignant encounter came when an American woman at the funeral thanked a Ukrainian soldier, saying, “Thank you for fighting for our freedom.” Fr. Barrios said such words revealed the global weight of Ukraine’s struggle.
COMECE’s involvement goes beyond gestures. Since the beginning of the war, the European bishops have publicly condemned the invasion, called for a just peace, and included representatives of Ukrainian Churches in their plenary assemblies as observers.
On the ground, the Catholic Church in Ukraine continues to provide practical and spiritual support offering services for veterans, mental health support for families, and spaces for interreligious reconciliation. “The Church’s presence is not only visible in humanitarian work but also in its spiritual witness,” Fr. Barrios said. He recalled the funeral homily, centered on Christ’s words, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” as a moment of profound hope and reflection.
At the European level, COMECE is committed to advocating for peace and justice. The bishops pledged to raise Ukraine’s plight more actively before EU institutions. “We now carry the responsibility of being witnesses to what we saw in Ukraine. The EU must be more engaged in promoting a just and lasting peace,” Fr. Barrios urged.
The COMECE visit reaffirms the Catholic Church’s commitment to solidarity not just in words, but in presence, prayer, and prophetic action amidst war’s darkest shadows.