Ukraine: Archbishop of Ternopil asks for prayers after deadly bombing

Rescue efforts continue at Ternopil residential building after Russian strikes, Credit: ANSA

Source: Vatican News

Following a massive Russian attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, Archbishop Teodor Martynyuk tells Vatican News about the Greek-Catholic Church's immediate assistance to affected residents and calls on the faithful to pray for Ukrainians enduring the pain of war.

On the night of 18-19 November, Russia launched a massive attack with missiles and drones against Ukraine. Explosions were reported in several regions, particularly in Kharkiv, Ternopil, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. Throughout the night, Russian forces launched more than 470 drones and 48 missiles of various types.

In the western city of Ternopil, the first explosions occurred around 6:30 AM local time, and smoke began to rise above one of the city's districts. As the morning progressed, officials began counting the damage: two nine-story residential buildings were hit. By mid-afternoon, at 3 PM local time, the toll stood at 25 dead among the residents of Ternopil, including three children. Seventy-three people were injured, among them 15 minors. More than 200 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and around 500,000 people were left without shelter. Police, rescuers, doctors, and other emergency services are working on-site to clear the rubble and carry out rescue operations.

Prayer for the victims

Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Archbishop Teodor Martynyuk, Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv, arrived at the missile impact site together with other priests to pray for the dead and console their families. He invited everyone to join in prayer for those affected. Speaking to Vatican News a day after the attack, he explained how the Church is trying to assist the people of Ternopil in this tragic moment. "The priests of the eparchy, especially the chaplains, are providing assistance to the wounded who have been taken to the hospital," he said. "Caritas Ternopil staff have set up a humanitarian aid center at the site of the tragedy. A similar assistance center has also been created in the nearby Greek-Catholic parish."

Archbishop Martynyuk added that various Church facilities are welcoming those who have lost their homes. Others will be received in the Marian shrine of Zarvanytsia, where many displaced persons have found shelter since the start of the war. "We are providing the necessary assistance so that people have a place to warm up and something to eat, especially since this morning when it was three degrees below zero," said the Metropolitan Archbishop; "we unite in prayer for the victims and we give thanks to all who support us in this difficult time."

Archbishop Martynyuk turned to the faithful around the world, inviting them to pray for the victims of Russia's war in Ukraine. "I ask all who are listening to us - our brothers and sisters in faith - to pray for us and especially for the victims, for those who are now in distress, who have lost their loved ones, and who are waiting for news that perhaps someone is still alive under the rubble," he said. "Let us try to support these people together."

The Archbishop said all Greek-Catholic churches of the Ternopil region held a prayer vigil on Wednesday for the victims of the attack.