Latest news with #UkrainianCatholics
National Post
29-04-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Raymond J. de Souza: Those pushing Ukraine to surrender may now be in retreat
U.S. President Donald Trump quipped on Sunday that it was 'the nicest office I have ever seen.' He was speaking of St. Peter's Basilica which, relative to the late-Saddam style of decor featured at Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago, is rather understated. Article content Article content He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter's before the funeral of Pope Francis, whose mortal remains were still in the church while the two presidents decided to stage a hasty bilateral sit-down. Forty years ago, Yes, Prime Minister had an entire episode about the diplomatic benefits of a state funeral, but it was a satire and the discussions were held at ancillary receptions, not a few steps ahead of the procession of the casket. Article content The old line is that the narcissist must be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral. Trump apparently could not bear not to be the centre of attention, even at the funeral of a pope. Article content Article content President Zelenskyy was likely grateful that the sacred ambience of St. Peter's — and the absence of Vice-President JD Vance — made it unlikely that he would be ambushed by intemperate shouting. He was also likely pleased to see the end of this pontificate, for Pope Francis had been the only world leader to explicitly call upon Ukraine to surrender. Article content It was last March that Francis called for Ukraine to have ' the courage of the white flag ' and 'negotiate before things get worse.' It provoked an incandescent response in Ukraine, including from Ukrainian Catholics. In essence, Pope Francis had the Trump position — things are bad on the battlefield, they may well get worse, so better to surrender now. Article content Article content It may be that the surrender party — led by Trump strategically and Francis morally — is now in retreat. Article content Article content Trump prefers to speak of 'a deal' rather than 'surrender,' but surrender is a type of deal. Trump knows that there are only two ways to end the war in 'one day.' Either the invading party lays down its arms and goes home, or the invaded party surrenders. Article content Give Trump's affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the preferred option was Ukrainian surrender. Hence the ramping up of lies — to a greater degree than even the usual Trump standard — about Ukraine starting the war, the relative contributions of Europeans and Americans to Ukraine's defence, and the reliability of Putin's promises. When Zelenskyy refused to co-operate in his own surrender, Trump's anger boiled over in the Oval Office. Article content What Trump has never understood is that Ukraine does not need the 'art of the deal' to surrender to Russia. If Zelenskyy wanted to surrender, he could fly to Moscow in one day and not ruin his visit to the Bernini-adorned St. Peter's by having to look into the eyes of Donald Trump.
Sky News AU
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Ukrainian-born Melbourne cardinal Bishop Mykola Bychok to help choose the next pontiff after Pope Francis' death
A 45-year-old Melbourne-based cardinal will be among the world's highest-ranking bishops and clergy determining the next pontiff. Mykola Bychock, who was surprised to be appointed cardinal by Pope Francis, has had a rapid rise through the church's hierarchy as he fought for the freedoms of his native Ukraine. From a humble Ukrainian congregation in South Melbourne, the bishop has travelled to the centre of the church's decision making at the papal conclave in Vatican City. Bishop Bychock takes the views of Australia, and those of his native Ukraine, to the Holy See. Installed a cardinal by Pope Francis in December, Bychock said Francis spoke Ukranian to him, saying 'glory be to Jesus Christ' in his native language. When his appointment was celebrated at his home church two months later, Bishop Bychock couldn't help but explain the gravity of his appointment. 'As the Holy Father Pope Francis often reminds us, we have a God of surprises,' he told the congregation. 'God also surprises us by allowing us to deal with the situations that arise in our lives. 'It was unimaginable a few months ago that I would be standing before you as a cardinal of the holy church with all the responsibilities that this high office brings.' Cardinal Mykola was born and raised in Ternopil in western Ukraine. He was ordained as a priest in 2005 after studying in Ukraine and Poland. Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko told Sky News the bishop's appointment by Pope Francis was groundbreaking. 'It was unprecedented not only for the Australian Ukrainian community, it was unprecedented for the all Ukrainian Catholics,' the ambassador said. 'Also, it was unprecedented for Australia, because he is the eighth Cardinal in Australia.' The cardinal has previously spoken out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "(The Ukrainian people) are under attack every day, day-by-day," he told the ABC. "It is really a genocide of our people because Russia is in war mode, with army, with soldiers, and they are killing our people." Sky News understands the bishop began his travel to the Holy See for a pre-arranged pilgrimage organised well before the official announcement of the Pontiff's death. In a written statement issued following the pontiff's death, the cardinal said Pope Francis was "a Pope for the marginalised and those on the periphery'. "He was a man of simple piety who strove to bring the church closer to people. His gave freely of his gifts and had a unique personal approach to all he met,' he said. Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli paid tribute to the cardinal. 'He's a man of a great faith and a man of seriousness,' he said. 'He loves to smile though, so I should say that too, but he will be taking this time seriously. 
 'He's in the Holy Land at this precise moment, he left on the day, yesterday, the day the Holy Father died,' Archbishop Comensoli told reporters outside mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne. With an eye to the coming weeks, the Bishop encouraged prayers for the conclave. "I also ask for your prayers for the Cardinal Electors that will be meeting in Conclave, that the Holy Spirit may enlighten our hearts and minds that we may choose a worthy candidate as the 267th Bishop of Rome and Successor of Saint Peter," he said. And as Easter concludes, the Australian Ukranian cardinal will have his vote and voice heard in conclave. 'So suddenly he's bringing a lot of that youth perspective to the conclave,' Vasyl Myroshnychenko told Sky News. 'It would be quite fascinating to see a contribution from a cardinal representing both Ukraine and Australia.' It's half a world away from his parish in humble South Melbourne.
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MPs attend prayer service at Ukrainian church in London to mark anniversary
The shadow foreign secretary was among MPs who attended a prayer service at a Ukrainian church in central London to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion. Hymns, prayers and a commemorative candle lighting were delivered during the hour-long interfaith service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Westminster on Monday. Dame Priti Patel was joined at the service by migration and citizenship minister Seema Malhotra and the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The church has been a place of worship for Ukrainian Catholics in the city for almost 50 years. The service opened with workers and volunteers from the Ukrainian Welcome Centre forming a procession to light three remembrance candles at the front of the cathedral, while members of the cathedral choir sang the hymn Under Your Grace. Taras Mykhalchuk, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul's Garrison Church in Lviv, in western Ukraine, gave a powerful testimony of his experiences in an area ravaged by the war. He told the service the church would sometimes conduct funerals, marriage ceremonies and baptisms of Ukrainian military personnel all in one morning. Mr Mykhalchuk thanked the British public for their support, adding: 'We really feel your friendly shoulder.' Several faith leaders were then invited to offer prayers, including the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg. Gen Zaluzhnyi, who met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Kyiv last month, said in a short speech: 'For three years, our people have been fighting for not just our land, but for our freedom and justice. 'Ukraine did not choose this war, but we choose to fight to defend our cause, our families and our future.' The envoy said Ukraine was 'deeply grateful' to the UK, adding; 'Your support gives us strength and hope.' The service ended with renditions of both the spiritual anthem of Ukraine and God Save The King. Some attendees could be seen wearing Ukrainian flags draped over their clothing. Sir Keir said in a remote address to a gathering of Ukraine's allies in Kyiv on Monday that a new package of UK sanctions would be imposed on Russia to get President Vladimir Putin 'not just to talk, but to make concessions'. A rally will be taking place in Trafalgar Square on Monday evening as part of further anniversary commemorations.
