Fund-raising bid launched for Polish refugees from Ukraine
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
22.03.2015 13:03
The charity organization Caritas Polska has launched a fund-raising campaign to help ethnic Poles from the conflict-torn parts of Ukraine who want to start a new life in Poland.
Pro-Russian rebels stand in front of the damaged building of local car dealer, which reportedly was hit by a shelling, in the city of Donetsk, Ukraine, 21 March 2015. EPA/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO
In an appeal sent to Polish media, Caritas Polska says that sixty persons have already arrived in Poland, and another group of thirty people are getting ready for the journey. They are mostly young couples with children.
The appeal coincides with the Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine which was declared by Polish bishops and is observed in Roman Catholic churches today.
The bishops have called on all Polish parishes to establish direct contacts with Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic parishes in Ukraine, leading to exchange visits and assistance to those in need.
In their appeal, Polish bishops recall that during the communist period Europe helped Poles in their fight for freedom.
''By helping Ukraine today, we can, if only in a small part, repay this debt of gratitude,'' the bishops stressed.
Caritas Polska is the largest non-governmental charity organization in Poland. (mk/nh)