Archeparchy Hosts Documentary Screening on Forced Displacement: Beyond the Statistics

In anticipation of the 4-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia once again brought focus back to our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters. 

On February 18^th, the Archeparchy, hosted a movie night featuring the documentary film Beyond the Statistics. Filmed within the first 18 months of the full-scale war, the documentary introduces us to two forcibly displaced families who arrived in Philadelphia in 2022, giving voice to their personal journeys of survival, struggle, at times regret, and yet in spite of everything, hope. It also travels to Poland, looking back at those initial hours, days, and months of Ukrainian refugees crossing the Polish border and how both government and NGO’s had to scramble to set-up a humanitarian infrastructure.

Following the screening, a sincere and moving panel discussion and Q&A ensued with Fernando Ramirez, (Founder of NGO Bridges 2030 International and Producer of the film), Christy McCaffrey, CEO of Be the Good Media, a Philadelphia-based film company, and Producer/Director of Beyond the Statistics), and Stacey Harpster (Associate Professor at Temple University, Klein College of Media).

As the plight of refugees and immigrants hangs in the balance today, Sunday, February 22nd, will be a Day of Prayer for the Forcibly Displaced throughout the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.