Msgr. Robert Vitillo

Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Senior Afbisor

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

@robinrome Auguri!

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Let us pray that the hearts, mind, and spirits of the war wounded will heal as well as their bodies!

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

And here is the young orthopedic resident who will use the ultrasound during the surgical procedures - he cannot contain his joy at receiving this donation and seemed so anxious to open this “gift” that will ensure better fitting of prostheses and facilitate better healing.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Here we are with the Chief Orthopedic surgeon - he told us they have doubled the number of surgeries at the clinic - from 1000 per year to 2000 and half of those are of military members wounded in battle. We saw many such patients in the hospital grounds and corridors.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Immediately after our meeting at the Papal Nunciature, we proceeded to the National institute of Medicine’s Orthopedic clinic, where delegation member Ms. Erica Smith of Mission Outreach agency of the Hospital Sisters Health System donated a portable ultrasound machine.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Here is a photo of the Nuncio (wearing a pin to support prayer for peace in Ukraine) with the members of our Delegation.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

I thanked the Nuncio for his encouragement of our joint work, with other Catholic humanitarian organizations as the Catholic Response for Ukraine Working Group and for his strong suggestion that ICMC support local mental health and pastoral responses by the local churches here .

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

He spoke with great concern about the widows, the orphans, the children behind the lines of battle and who have been separated from parents and other family members. He expressed grave concern about the emotional pain carried home by returning military.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

He frequently goes to the battlefront to show the concern of Pope Francis and of the Catholic Church for the people who suffer the most during this war. He tries to bring supplies, but especially hope and solidarity to war-affected people who have lost so much and need so much.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Today, Tuesday, 26 March, we met with the Papal Nuncio, the Pope’s ambassador to the government and people of Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas. He decided to remain in Ukraine when most other Ambassadors left the country at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

But, later Monday evening we went to Mass at nearby St. Nicholas Church - once again the faith of the people overwhelmed me as they prayed so intently for peace and they sang so loudly in Latin: “Per crucem tuam redimisti mundum - by your cross you redeemed the world!”

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

On Sunday morning, 24 March, at 5:50 AM, the other delegation members and I were awakened by screech of rockets in Lviv. Then, as we arrived in Kyiv the next day, we were “treated” to sustained sirens and the sight of many people in the neighborhood of our hotel seeking shelter.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

For the past three days, our Solidarity delegation has had a small “taste” of what most Ukrainians have been experiencing in a much more constant and intensive manner for the last two years of full-scale invasion - roar of rockets bombarding and sirens warning to seek shelter.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

He encouraged us to join him in prayer for peace, a peace that can come only with God’s divine and miraculous grace and healing. He spoke of officiating at the funerals of hundreds of soldiers and trying to comfort the mothers, widows, and orphans.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

He expressed deep thanks to ICMC for their support of mental health programming and says that this need will continue fo generations to come - the wounds of war are deep and long-lasting. He also asked for help with first aid kits to treat the wounded at the battlefront.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

Today, we met with the the Latin Catholic Church Archbishop of Lviv. He spoke of both the physical, emotional, and spiritual poverty of the people seeking his help. They no longer ask for money but simply need food. The children themselves ring his doorbell asking for snacks.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

ICMC is grateful to the generous donors who have made possible this vital partnership between ICMC and the Catholic Church in Ukraine. It represents the same healing ministry to which Jesus invited us, some 2000 years ago, during His ministry on this earth and inspires today.

[Msgr. Robert Vitillo @bobvitillo]

I am pleased and grateful that my organization, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) has been able to provide funding to the psychological hubs of both the Greek Catholic and Latin Catholic Churches in Ukraine to meet these vital needs of people affected by war