The Tablet: A Catholic bishop in eastern Ukraine has said “only prayer and divine intervention” can now save his country from an expected Russian invasion, which risks dragging the rest of Europe into the conflict.
“It will be a miracle if Russia doesn’t decide on a total invasion – the American intelligence services and Nato have warned we must be ready for such a scenario at any moment,” said Mgr Jan Sobilo, auxiliary bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia. “If it happens, and Russia attacks Ukraine, this will be a Europe-wide, if not worldwide, problem. Millions of desperate refugees will have no prospect other than escape to the West.”
Speaking in Poland, Bishop Sobilo said a “real war” was now being waged in his diocese, adding that the aim of pro-Russia separatists was being served by the mass exodus of local inhabitants. The bishop said Western aid often failed to reach those in need, while Catholic priests with parishes in rebel-held areas were being prevented from returning by the Ukrainian Army. Full report is here.
