Catholic Union Deputy Director, James Somerville-Meikle, writes:
On Monday I had the privilege of meeting a famous Ukrainian leader. Since the war began, he has become a source of comfort and hope to so many people.
I am of course referring to Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, whose visit to Parliament earlier this week coincided with President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK.
Bishop Nowakowski was appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London in early 2020. Since then, he has seen his Cathedral closed on account of Covid and the home country of many of his congregation invaded.
Bishop Nowakowski addressed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See on what the Church has been doing to support some of the 170,000 Ukrainians who have come to this country since the full-scale invasion began in February last year.
He said these were “dark days” for people in Ukraine, but that “the light of Christ continues to shine in the hope and care we are offering people.” A welcome centre has been set up for Ukrainians in the basement of the Cathedral, made possible by the “kindness and generosity of so many people.”
At times of war and conflict, people often ask where is God? Bishop Nowakowski’s Cathedral might be a good place to start.