On a special mission, the President General will meet with Ukrainian Vincentians
The itinerary of the trip also includes visits to Ukrainian refugee projects
On December 7th, with God’s grace, the 16th SSVP President General International, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira and CGI delegates, will travel to Budapest, Hungary to meet with SSVP members from Ukraine. The original idea was a visit by the President General to that country, however this alternative itinerary was chosen due to the dangers of war.
The Council General will, first of all, thank the Ukrainian delegates who have kindly accepted to travel to Hungary to meet with CGI members. At this meeting, the President General will inquire about the real needs of the SSVP – Ukraine, to pledge international solidarity to the Ukrainian people, and to discuss new forms of humanitarian and emergency aid. There are only five Vincentian Conferences in Ukraine.
Before meeting with the Ukrainian members, December 4th to 6th, President Lima de Oliveira will visit Vienna (Austria) and Bratislava (Slovakia), where he will have a busy agenda. In these locations, he will meet the local SSVP leaders and tour social projects for Ukrainian refugees.
Renato Lima will be accompanied by Brother Adrian Abel, President of the Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD), which is closely monitoring Vincentian assistance to Ukraine. CIAD is managing the “Memorandum of Understanding” between the SSVP and Depaul International (a branch of the Vincentian Family) for the delivery of food to Ukrainian refugees.
“This conflict is totally senseless. I cannot understand how, in the middle of the 21st century, there can be a war on the European continent! Humanity needs peace. Therefore, we will do everything to help our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. We want to strengthen and revitalize the SSVP in Ukraine, so this on-site visit becomes strategic. May God protects us,” emphasized President Lima de Oliveira.
The Council General is asking everyone’s prayers for this special mission to Eastern Europe, praying God for the safety of those involved and for an end to the war.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (St. Matthew 5, 9).
