THE
P RTAL
December 2017
Page 20
Aid to the Church in Need
Nativity’s pro-life
message alive in Russia
Murcadha O’Flaherty
A id to
the Church in Need is helping vulnerable women and their unborn children in Russia – fulfilling
Church teaching that each and every human life has inherent dignity. Remembering that the Holy
Family found no room in the inn when they came to Bethlehem, Russia’s Catholic and Orthodox Churches
are helping up to 42 destitute women and their families with accommodation until they find a stable address.
The National Director of ACN’s UK Office, Neville
Kyrke-Smith, described the charity’s help for this
ecumenical project. During his autumn visit, Mr Kyrke-
Smith joined with His Eminence Russian Orthodox
Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomysk
to open a shelter for young mothers in Stavropol – a
town whose name means City of the Cross.
The dignitaries met with those families receiving
practical assistance, including a Muslim family in
need. Mr Kyrke-Smith said, “This project is absolutely
vital, as it supports pregnant women who are often
left without any assistance from their families. The
centre was founded by the Orthodox Church – and
we are delighted to be able to support this important
ecumenical project, helping women in a very difficult
situation.”
on Russia’s population as well as its global effect, Mr
Humeniuk said, “Unfortunately, abortion is very
prevalent in Russia. This can be traced back to Soviet
times… the Russian people are beginning to become
aware of this problem, because if nothing else, the
demographic development in Russia… and that of the
Western world – has now become a wake-up call for
ACN has given more than £20,000 to the centre’s many people.”
sheltered accommodation, offering alternatives to
ACN is also supporting other projects in Russia that
abortion. It also supports women with telephone
counselling, advice and information. Thanking the reflect the hope brought when Our Lord Jesus Christ
charity’s supporters, Metropolitan Kirill told Mr took flesh and dwelt among us: including an intensive
Kyrke-Smith, “Thank you and may God bless our dear year-long drug rehabilitation course using with
friends at Aid to the Church in Need. We pray for success rates as high as 80 per cent. And a new chapel
in Stavropol – previously the Catholic community
them.”
gathered in a farmer’s workshop. Fr Mitrzak is the first
Members of both the Catholic and Orthodox Catholic priest residing permanently there since the
Churches attended the international protection-of- Revolution – and Metropolitan Kyrill is helping the
life seminar held by the Moscow Patriarchate earlier chapel with registration requirements.
this year. The seminar developed the call to “respect
Speaking of the charity’s work, Mr Kyrke-Smith said,
the inalienable right to life” in Pope Francis’ and
Patriarch Kirill’s joint declaration. ACN’s Russia “When Our Lord was born as man he was rejected by
expert, Peter Humeniuk, described the conference as the world around him. I am greatly encouraged that
taking “concrete steps in the spirit of ecumenism. The Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches are working
seminar focused on analysing the situation, but also together to help the rejected and afflicted, seeing Our
– and particularly – on finding solutions.” Delegates Lord incarnate in their misery.”
meet with a Catholic group from Milan that offers
Aid to the Church in Need - www.acnuk.org
pregnancy counselling and has already saved almost
contact: [email protected] or call 020 8642 8668
20,000 children. Speaking of the impact of abortion