Editorial: Though half a world away, we must not grow numb and indifferent to the suffering in Ukraine

3 mins read
Ukrainian refugees
A mother fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine stands with her son at Nyugati railway station, in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 28, 2022. (CNS photo/Marton Monus, Reuters)

For the past several months, as Vladimir Putin stockpiled tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine’s doorstep, the world braced for war, fearing the worst yet praying that the Russian president was simply puffing out his chest and flexing his military might like a bully in the schoolyard who didn’t intend to actually fight.

On the morning of Feb. 24, however, our collective fear became a tragic reality as videos of deadly airstrikes and Russian military convoys crossing into Ukraine quickly flooded cable news channels and social media feeds in the United States and around the world. The condemnation of the invasion was swift and widespread. Pope Francis said he was “heartbroken” for the people of Ukraine, and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, called upon all people of goodwill “not to ignore the suffering of the Ukrainian people.”

Given our 24-hour access to the stories and videos of such tremendous suffering, it is almost impossible to ignore.

Commentators called Russia’s invasion the most aggressive attack on the European continent since the end of World War II. But 80 years ago, there were no regularly scheduled television news broadcasts, let alone 24-hour cable news channels. Any news of the war in Europe then was delivered via radio, newspaper or newsreels. Aside from those engaged on the battlefield, rarely did anyone see up close the devastating and deadly effects of war — the destruction of homes and businesses and, worse, the loss of human life.

Now, of course, we can watch it live on our phones while we lounge in our chairs, or brush our teeth, or walk our dogs. We are fed slow-motion shots of the very moment when a missile detonates upon reaching its target. We are able to see satellite images of troop movements and cellphone videos of freshly bombed-out buildings. Sadly, if we divorce ourselves from the real human tragedies of war, we can allow it to become simply another form of entertainment — akin to watching an action movie or playing a video game.

While this unjust war is being waged half a world away, however, we must always acknowledge that with every missile strike or artillery fire, people are suffering; lives are being displaced and lost.

There is a short video that has circulated on social media showing nurses caring for newborns who were taken out of their neonatal intensive care unit and placed side by side on cots in the hospital’s basement, their oxygen tanks and heart monitors haphazardly set up next to them.

There are stories of brave clergymen who have refused to flee for their own safety and instead have vowed to remain in Ukraine so that they can continue to shepherd their flocks during their time of need.

There are stories of mothers and fathers who have sent their children to safety so that they can remain to fight alongside their countrymen.

The human toll of this war is impossible to escape. Instead of viewing these tragedies casually as we scroll through our phones, justice demands that we see them through a lens of compassion, love and action.

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical on fraternity and social friendship, he wrote about the violence of war and how each of us is called to react to it.

“Every war leaves our world worse than it was before,” Pope Francis wrote. “War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil. Let us not remain mired in theoretical discussions, but touch the wounded flesh of the victims. Let us look once more at all those civilians whose killing was considered ‘collateral damage.’ Let us ask the victims themselves. Let us think of the refugees and displaced, those who suffered the effects of atomic radiation or chemical attacks, the mothers who lost their children, and the boys and girls maimed or deprived of their childhood. Let us hear the true stories of these victims of violence, look at reality through their eyes, and listen with an open heart to the stories they tell. In this way, we will be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war” (No. 261).

This Lent, as we contemplate the suffering of Christ during his passion and death, let us truly see the victims of this war, and let us pray that their suffering will water the seeds of peace.

Our Sunday Visitor Editorial Board: Gretchen R. Crowe, Scott P. Richert, Scott Warden, York Young

HOW TO HELP
The international Caritas confederation is collecting funds to help Caritas Ukraine. In the United States, that is through Catholic Relief Services. Internationally, you can donate through https://www.caritas.org/.

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia is taking donations here.

Two pontifical agencies also are taking donations for Ukraine: Catholic Near East Welfare Association, and Aid to the Church in Need. Internationally, Aid to the Church can be reached here.

The Knights of Columbus launched the Ukraine Solidarity Fund, and donations can be made here.  On Feb. 25, the Knights of Columbus announced a commitment of $1 million for immediate distribution to support Ukrainian refugees and will match all funds raised up to an additional $500,000. The relief funding will be used to provide shelter, food, medical supplies, clothing and religious goods, as well as other humanitarian needs as identified, both directly in Ukraine and through refugee sites in Poland.

Donations can also be made to Jesuit Refugee Service at www.jrsusa.org to support the agency’s work in Europe “to accompany, serve, and advocate for those forced to flee from war and conflict.” 

The Salesians also are accepting donations to help refugees here.

Our Sunday Visitor Editorial Board

The Our Sunday Visitor Editorial Board consists of Father Patrick Briscoe, O.P., Gretchen R. Crowe, Matthew Kirby, Scott P. Richert and York Young.