Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caritas
Mariupol (Agenzia Fides) - "This dramatic news leaves the Caritas family horrified and shocked. We join in the pain and solidarity with the suffering of the families and our colleagues of Caritas Ukraine who are experiencing this tragedy". With these words, the secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis, Aloysius John, expresses the Confederation's pain at the news of the death of two collaborators of Caritas Ukraine Mariupol. The tragic attack probably occurred on March 15, when shots were fired from a tank against the building of the Caritas center in Mariupol, which killed the two collaborators and five members of their families. At the moment, due to the lack of communication with the city of Mariupol and the inability to have access to the premises of the Caritas center, the national office of Caritas Ukraine still does not have sufficient elements to determine what happened and continues to collect information. Presumably, Caritas workers and their families had taken refuge in the center during the bombing of the city.
As can be seen in the note sent to Agenzia Fides, Caritas Internationalis reiterates its incessant appeal for peace. "The 'martyrdom' in Ukraine, as Pope Francis defined it, must end, and must end now - highlights the secretary-general.
The international community must do its utmost to stop this massacre immediately. Peace must be given a chance. Armed conflict and violence are not the solution. Human lives must be safeguarded, human dignity respected and the safety of civilians must be guaranteed". Since the beginning of the conflict, the two Caritas organizations present in Ukraine, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine, have been alongside the people and so far, also with the collaboration of the Caritas Confederation, have provided humanitarian assistance to about 600,000 people.
The president of Caritas Ukraine, Tetiana Stawnychy, calls for special attention in memory of the victims. "We need your solidarity and your prayers for the families of the victims, for the community of Caritas Mariupol and the community of Caritas Ukraine". (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2022)
