Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in the United States Presents Annual Impact Report of the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund

On March 3, the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in the United States presented the Annual Impact Report of the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund during a Zoom meeting attended by bishops, clergy, and supporters of the initiative.

The program began with a prayer offered by Bishop Venedykt Aleksiychuk, followed by remarks from Metropolitan Borys Gudziak.

Reflecting on his recent visit to Ukraine, Metropolitan Borys shared his impressions of the current situation in the country, “I have just returned from what was my 55th trip to Ukraine since the beginning of the war in 2014 and the 15th trip in the last four years.” “The overall impression is that there is great suffering. People are exhausted.”

The Metropolitan described the severe hardships faced by Ukrainians during the winter, as continued attacks targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, “This winter was particularly difficult,” he noted. “For more than a month, temperatures were below zero Celsius, and often even below zero Fahrenheit, while rolling blackouts continued and the heating and energy networks were under attack.”

He also spoke about the scale of destruction caused by the war, “More than 4,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed, more than 2,000 hospitals and medical facilities have been affected, and over 600 churches have been damaged.”

“Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and there are more than 60,000 amputees. It is a very sorrowful picture.”

At the same time, he emphasized the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, “I visited 13 cities and towns and spoke with a cross-section of the population — mayors, members of parliament, ministers, as well as simple people, internally displaced persons, and parents of those who have given their lives for democracy and freedom”.

Participants in the meeting also heard reflections from Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Rev. Rostyslav Vysochan, and Christopher Manson, who shared perspectives on the situation in Ukraine and the continued need to support those affected by the war.

During the presentation, it was reported that in 2024-2025 the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund distributed $3.2 million and supported 154 projects assisting people affected by the war. These initiatives focus particularly on trauma healing, psychological support, and pastoral care for individuals and communities suffering from the consequences of Russia’s invasion.

The meeting concluded with a closing prayer offered by Bishop Paul Chomnycky.

The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, established by the Ukrainian Catholic bishops in the United States, continues to support programs that help individuals and communities in Ukraine address the profound physical, psychological, and spiritual wounds caused by the war.