World, 27 February 2022 -- After the sudden and unjustified Russian invasion into Ukraine on 24 February, with many civilian causalities, missile strikes, fighting in many cities and an immediate flood of 150,000 refugees from Ukraine to other European countries - we also turn our attention to the Salesian Family in this suffering country.

       Pope Francis has already asked the whole Catholic community around the world to pray and fast for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday (2 March).

       Pope Francis took the most unusual step of visiting the Russian embassy just a few hundred metres from the Vatican (25 February).

       The President of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco appealed for prayer and solidarity with Ukraine (25 February): "Life, Truth, Freedom are the values embraced by the past pupils and friends of Don Bosco around the world. It is with deep sadness that we note the recent political and military developments in Ukraine. As a movement of committed citizens of the world, we declare our belief in justice, solidarity, and peace. War is not a solution. Attacking civilians is never the answer. We ask political leaders to shoulder their responsibility and respect life and human dignity, and to work together to achieve peace and unity. We express our solidarity with all the Ukrainian people. We remember especially all the members of the Salesian Family from Ukraine especially past pupils and friends of Don Bosco. We appeal everyone to unite in prayer." Bryan Magro, President DBPP

       The Salesian Province Superior of Ukraine, in his message on 25 February, said: "We are with the people until the last moment. We try to be the ones who give hope to disappointed people. We are creating spaces for refugees in our Salesian structures, we are preparing places for shelters in case of bombings. Today we are already expecting the first refugees who are being brought by our confrere Fr Oleg, who has gone to the areas near the Russian border where there is fighting. He went there risking his life. Our children's home in Lviv, where we have 70 children under our charge, will host other children from orphanages in eastern Ukraine and from families in difficulty. We are preparing the spaces. We must also guarantee all support. Dear confreres, I ask you first of all to pray for Ukraine and also to be open if refugees come to your country. I thank you for all your help and support. With affection and prayer." Fr. Mykhaylo Chaban, SDB

       Within the worldwide Salesian Family, Ukraine was part of the EST Special Circumscription, then the UKR Vice-province of Ukraine, Eastern rite was established with headquarters in Lviv, and at the same time the five presences of 2012 arrangement remain, making a total of 11 Salesian presences, most of them in the west of Ukraine. Among the members of UKR province there are also a few missionaries from Vietnam-Mongolia (VIE) province.

       The coming Lenten season is an appropriate time to be close to the suffering people of Ukraine and many other countries that suffer war or internal conflicts. There are Salesian Family members and presences In many of these countries. Let us bring our solidarity alive with prayer and any possible tangible signs of living as 'Tutti Fratelli' of one family!

• URK (SDB) Viceprovince contact: sdb.ukr@gmail.com
• UKR (SDB) Viceprovince website

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