Metropolitan Borys Attended CNEWA’s Annual Gala in New York

On Monday, December 1, 2026, in New York City, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) held its annual gala. CNEWA was founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to aid Eastern Churches in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. CNEWA has been a supporter of Ukraine for many years but especially during the time of war. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who serves as Chair of CNEWA’s Board of Trustees, was one of the first Western leaders to visit Ukraine after the full-scale invitation. Msgr. Peter Vaccari, who serves as CNEWA’s president, has too visited Ukraine even multiple times after the full-scale invitation of February 24, 2022. 

The evening featured Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak as their guest of honor and Ambassador Michèle Burke Bowe, recipient of CNEWA’s 2025 Faith and Culture Award. Cardinal Dolan and Gala Chair Amanda Bowman served as the emcees for the evening. During his speech, Metropolitan Borys, who was awarded CNEWA’s Faith and Culture Award in 2024, said, "Love is not vague or general; love is precise. Love remembers names, shows up, bandages wounds, brings water, prepares a meal, carries someone across the street, keeps a room warm in winter. And this is where I see the profound spiritual depth of CNEWA’s mission."

Msgr. Vaccari was not able to attend the gala in person as he was accompanying the Pope Leo XIV in Lebanon but was to greet all attendees via live video feed where he thanked all those in attendance and all supporters as well as launched CNEWA’s centennial celebration.

To learn more about CNEWA, please visit https://cnewa.org/