On April 12 of 2022, the Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly visited Ukraine. Even though it was a brief visit, it was of great importance.
The Knights of Columbus functions in many countries and as a response to the call from the Supreme Knight at the dawn of the Russian military invasion into Ukraine, thanks to the knight-fellows from Ukraine, it has started providing the humanitarian support to the Ukrainians affected by the warfare.
On the 48th day of the war, Patrick E. Kelly came to Ukraine to personally shake hands with and express his gratitude to the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine for their self-sacrificing and devoted service to their country in such a hard time. He also inaugurated the National Delegate of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine, brother Iurii Maletskyi.
It’s a unique case because the inauguration to the position of the National Delegate has never been carried out outside the headquarters of the Order. What is more, it’s the first time the inauguration takes place during a war and on the territory of a country affected by war.
The National Delegate of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine, Mr. Maletskyi has shared his impressions after the event:
— Today’s event is highly symbolical and important for us. It’s the first official visit of the Supreme Knight to Ukraine, and it has become a sign of support for all Knights, recognition of the work they are carrying out. Also, it’s a sign of support for the whole Ukraine from the US Catholics. The Knights of Columbus from the USA actively support us, both spiritually and materially.
And the fact that the initiation for the first time in history was held outside New Haven was very heartwarming for me and everyone else. I hope that the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine and in the whole world will continue effectively helping and serving to those in need during this hard time. With hope for victory. Slava Ukraini!
And the Supreme Knight said: — It’s an honor for me to be in Ukraine at such time and to represent all Knights of Columbus. It’s an honor for me to meet with the brothers from Ukraine and Poland. I’m impressed with their courage, dedication for serving people today. I want to tell all Ukrainians -- you are not alone. The whole world stands with you in this fight. The whole world prays for you!
The event was ascetic, but still solemn and very symbolical. The handing of the insignia and officer`s sword was held in the presence of the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine — Mieczysław Mokrzycki, the archbishop, and brothers-knights from Ukraine, Poland and the USA. The event took place in the premise of the former Franciscan-reformator monastery in Rava-Ruska not far from the border between Poland and Ukraine.
Today, the place, which Caritas-Spes of the Archdiocese of Lviv planned for the family-type orphanage for four families, has become a temporary home for internally displaced persons from the war-affected territories — Kharkiv region, Kyiv region and Mariupol. Also, the humanitarian cargos are admitted and distributed here, afterwards they are shipped to the flash point areas on the map of Ukraine.
Author : Vita Jakubovska
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