NEWSFEED: Summer 2022

Photo: At an aid center in Poland, Cardinal Dolan addresses Knights of Columbus volunteers.

FAITH IN ACTION

WELCOMING UKRAINIANS

SINCE THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE began in late February, the Catholic Church in New York has responded with spiritual and material support for suffering Ukrainians.

Since February 27, when Cardinal Timothy Dolan appeared at a Divine Liturgy at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manhattan’s East Village, numerous services devoted to the cause have occurred in the Archdiocese of New York. In April and May, the cardinal traveled to Europe to visit refugee aid centers in Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

On the material side, parishes and Catholic schools in the archdiocese have raised more than $100,000 to benefit refugees. The Catholic Near East Welfare Association has provided more than $1 million to organizations administering relief. 

In March, Catholic Charities of New York Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan pledged his agency’s support. “We have a long history of helping refugees,” he said. “We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, ready to participate in whatever way we can to help in resettlement efforts.” 

Now that refugees are arriving here, New York City has announced that Catholic Charities will play a key role in a $2 million program to assist them. The agency will distribute cash assistance, provide technical and logistical support to community organizations, and help Ukrainians access federal, state, and local benefits.
 

SYNODALITY: NEXT STEPS

In March and April, the faithful from all corners of the Archdiocese of New York gathered in listening sessions in response to Pope Francis’ call for a global sharing of ideas – kicking off phase one of the ongoing Synod on Synodality. Guided by the Holy Spirit, thousands participated in discussions about how the Church should move forward in a changing world.

Thanks to the hard work of table scribes, facilitators, and other leaders, the archdiocese has assembled a summary report to be sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Next, the U.S. Bishops will convene with other North American bishops to discuss the findings and prepare to bring them to the Assembly of Bishops in Rome in 2023, where the synod is to culminate.

The comments summarized in the Archdiocese of New York’s report express a wide range of spiritual concerns and practical suggestions offered in a spirit of love and deep commitment. “The feedback from our people is uplifting and inspiring,” Cardinal Dolan writes in concluding the report,  “as a testimony of the great love and devotion the people of God . . . share for Jesus and His Church.”