War in Ukraine Halves Greek-Catholic Parishes, Bishop Reports

Mgr. Maksym Ryabukha, bishop of the Exarchate of Donetsk, Ukraine, described himself as a “bishop on wheels,” traveling frequently to visit parishes and support his flock amid the war. His movement allows him to witness the profound impact of the conflict on human life.

Before the Russian invasion, the Greek-Catholic Church in the region had more than 80 parishes. Now, only 37 remain active, with many destroyed, occupied, or closed. In areas under occupation, the bishop noted that laws prohibit any affiliation with the Catholic Church, Greek-Catholic or Latin, leaving no priests to serve the faithful.

The bishop highlighted the increasing severity of the situation, with drones and bombings making areas unsafe for civilians. Many families leave their homes at night to sleep in makeshift camps near lakes, fearing destruction. He recounted a boy’s experience of a bombing that left his home in ruins, illustrating the trauma inflicted on civilians.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that in July 2025, 286 people were killed and 1,388 injured, the highest number since May 2022. Nearly 40 percent of the victims were caused by long-range weapons, including rockets and cluster munitions. On 31 July, an attack on Kiev killed 31 people, including five children, and injured 171, mostly in a residential building hit by a rocket.

Bishop Ryabukha expressed deep sorrow over the bombardment of civilian areas and the world’s silence in response. The destruction of churches and the loss of life underscore the profound challenges faced by the Greek-Catholic community in Ukraine. The bishop’s efforts to provide pastoral care and support reflect the resilience of the faithful in the face of war.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)