The war in Ukraine and relief measures have been the focus of the four-day spring plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Matrei am Brenner since Monday. To this end, the bishops will also meet with refugee families. Ukrainian Priest and Vicar General in the Ordinariate for the Believers of the Eastern Catholic Churches in Austria, Yuriy Kolasa, will take part in the General Assembly. At the beginning, the conference chairman, Archbishop Franz Lackner, acknowledged the great willingness to help in Austria – not only, but also in the church. Now it is important to have staying power with this help. The deputy chairman of the bishops’ conference, Bishop Manfred Scheuer of Linz, emphasized the need for long-term help. He is in constant contact with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community in Linz. Apartments are needed for the refugees as well as places where people can meet and also celebrate church services. In addition, school offers for the children are necessary.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Diocesan Bishop Ägidius Zsifkovics and Auxiliary Bishop Anton Leichtfried cannot attend personally: They are in corona quarantine at home and can occasionally connect online.
Source: Nachrichten
