Please pray for Father Mykola, Greek-Catholic priest, chaplain to the Ukrainian Navy, kidnapped in Sevastapol, Crimea. (Vatican Radio) In a serious escalation of tension in Crimea, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest was kidnapped on Saturday. Sources in Ukraine say Father Mykola Kvych, a pastor and a Ukrainian military chaplain, was abducted by pro-Russian forces after celebrating the liturgy. Reports Saturday evening suggest Father Kvych may have been released, but those reports have not yet been confirmed. “Every abduction is a terrible event for everybody involved,” said Bishop Borys Gudziak, the Eparch of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy. “It’s a gross violation of human rights and God-given human dignity.” He expressed his grave concern about the repercussions of the kidnapping of Father Kvych. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests received oral and written threats warning them to leave Crimea. Many priests, however, have chosen to remain with their people. “Our priests and bishops have been very close to the people,” said Bishop Borys. “We’ve been inspired by the example of Our Lord [Who] went a long distance from fellowship with the Father to incarnate Himself and be in our reality.” He said they have also been inspired by the words of Pope Francis “who said a pastor needs to have the smell of his sheep. And our pastors have been with the people, and they’re today with the people enduring this occupation in the Crimea.” • In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost † , One God. Amen. • O Lord Jesus Christ, Whose unwearied eye neither slumbers nor sleeps, but continually watches in defense of Thy servants; take Padre Mykola Kvych, we beseech Thee, into Thy protection, and grant, that whilst his body is in captivity, his soul may be at peace with You, and that he may hereafter behold Thee in that blessed and heavenly country, where Thou, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, rulest eternally, and where all the angels, with the blessed saints, are citizens forever. Amen. • In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost † , One God. Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:38:18 +0000
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