Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war has fundamentally reshaped the Catholic Church’s mission,  turning parishes into shelters, priests into chaplains and charity into daily survival, Ukrainian bishop and leader of charity efforts told OSV News.

“Everything has changed. The country will never again be what it was before Feb. 24, 2022,” Auxiliary Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetskiy of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, head of Caritas-Spes Ukraine, said.

As Ukraine enters a fifth year of war amid continued missile attacks, mounting casualties and growing international uncertainty about future aid, Church leaders say the conflict has brought the Church back to its most basic identity.

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“The war revealed the essence of the Church — to be close to those who suffer,” the bishop said. “Not only to preach, but to be present: to listen, to support, to share fear and hope.”

Russia’s full-scale invasion triggered Europe’s largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.

According to United Nations agencies, some 3.7 million Ukrainians remain internally displaced, while nearly 6.9 million continue to live as refugees across Europe and beyond. Entire communities have been uprooted multiple times as missile and drone attacks repeatedly damage homes, hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure — forcing reconstruction efforts to begin anew even before previous repairs are completed.

Now four years into the war, humanitarian needs remain massive, with millions still dependent on international aid for basic survival.

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In that reality, pastoral ministry and humanitarian work have become inseparable.

“Since 2022, pastoral care cannot be separated from humanitarian service,” said Yazlovetskiy. 

Caritas organizations in Ukraine — both Roman Catholic Caritas-Spes Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Caritas Ukraine — rapidly evolved from modest social service groups into nationwide emergency networks.

“From small organizations of social assistance, Caritas became a powerful structure with centres across the country,” Yazlovetskiy said, crediting support from Caritas Europe, the global Caritas network and Church and governmental donors from across the globe.

“Unfortunately, help is already decreasing, while needs are not,” he said. “Mercy has become an everyday, urgent mission.”

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The Church’s transformation is visible in moments of crisis. After Russian strikes destroyed parts of Ukraine’s energy system and cities were plunged into cold and darkness, Catholic parishes opened what were called “points of warmth and hope.”

“The Church fed people and kept them warm,” the bishop said.