Polnischer Kardinal schickt drei Lieferungen in die Ukraine, finanziert durch kirchliche Sammlungen

# Cardinal Sends Three Shipments to Ukraine, Funded by Church Collections

Power generators, heaters, and food supplies have been delivered to Ukraine in the latest shipment from Caritas Krakow. This aid is the result of a collection held in the churches of the Archdiocese of Krakow last Sunday. Nearly three million PLN has been raised so far to help the residents of the besieged city of Kyiv, and further donations continue to reach the curia’s account.

During a press briefing accompanying the shipment, the Metropolitan of Krakow, **Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś**, thanked everyone who responded to his appeal for aid. He reported that even before the Sunday collection, 1.3 million PLN had already been deposited into the Caritas Krakow account. Thanks to the generosity of private donors, two shipments of aid have already been dispatched.

The fund currently stands at nearly three million PLN, with more contributions from parish collections expected by the end of the week. Once finalized, further shipments of support for our eastern neighbors will be prepared.

# Generators, Heaters, and Food

The Director of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Krakow, **Fr. Łukasz Ślusarczyk**, emphasized that everything sent from Krakow to Kyiv is a direct response to specific needs reported by Ukrainians.

In the previous shipment, Caritas Krakow sent over 160 generators, 900 heaters, and food supplies. These were primarily small and medium-sized units for use in smaller buildings and private apartments. The Wednesday shipment contained larger units, which will be used in Kyiv according to the requirements of the Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches. Priests in Ukraine are also collaborating with local district administrators in Kyiv to provide real-time information on residents‘ needs.

The Director also noted that one of the trucks leaving on Wednesday is headed to a Greek Catholic community that prepares hot meals for the capital’s residents. Consequently, in addition to generators and heaters, this shipment includes thermal food transport boxes. The second truck was driven by the Albertine Brothers, who are delivering 10 smaller generators, 20 heaters, and food supplies to a Roman Catholic parish for distribution across various points in Kyiv and its surrounding areas.

# Ukrainian Consul on the Situation in Kyiv

The Consul General of Ukraine in Krakow, **Viacheslav Voinarovskyi**, expressed his gratitude for the aid, stating it „saves human lives.“ He noted that the situation in Ukraine remains critical due to Russia’s „barbaric shelling.“

He reported that on the previous night, over 70 missiles and more than 500 drones were launched, primarily targeting energy systems to „exterminate not only the armed forces but also the civilian population.“ Therefore, he stressed, generators „save lives,“ particularly those of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

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In a letter to the faithful published on January 24, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś cited a message received early that morning from Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. The Archbishop wrote that they had „survived another hellish night; it is minus 10 degrees in Kyiv, and the Left Bank suffered the most… The fight for life, warmth, and light continues.“

„We cannot remain indifferent,“ the Metropolitan of Krakow underscored, announcing the decision to allocate the entire church collection from February 1 to aid for Kyiv. He announced that on Sunday, February 8, the faithful would be informed of the total funds raised and the equipment purchased.