In the midst of the war in Ukraine, families remain the primary forces of resistance, solidarity, and hope. Based on this conviction, L’Œuvre d’Orient and the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) co-organized a conference at the European Parliament, under the patronage of General Christophe Gomart.
This meeting highlighted the vital role of Ukrainian families in the country's resilience and in laying the groundwork for future peace.
Families: The Pillars of Ukrainian Society in Times of War
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian families have faced tremendous hardships. Yet they continue to play an irreplaceable role in the life of the country.
The speakers emphasized that families are:
- indispensable moral support for soldiers on the front lines;
- a particularly vulnerable population that needs to be protected, especially women and children;
- a key factor in social cohesion and collective resilience;
- a key player in postwar reconstruction and peacebuilding.
General Christophe Gomart reiterated this fundamental reality:
« Dans les moments difficiles, la famille est une source essentielle de soutien et de refuge pendant et après la guerre. »
Faith, Hope, and Love: The Foundations of Ukrainian Resilience
The testimonies heard at this conference demonstrated how the resilience of the Ukrainian people draws its strength from the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.
Bishop Radoslaw Zmitrowicz, the Catholic bishop of Kamianets-Podilskyi, emphasized the importance of families remaining united and continuing to live out their faith despite the hardships of war.
The family thus emerges as a special place for spiritual transmission, mutual support, and inner renewal.
The Moving Story of a Ukrainian Refugee Mother
Liudmyla Levytska, who sought refuge in Belgium with her young son, shared her experiences of exile and war.
Recalling images of her destroyed school and the upheaval in her daily life, she shared a story marked by deep hope:
« La guerre nous a appris à vivre aujourd’hui. À ne pas remettre la vie à plus tard. À apprécier les choses simples : la lumière dans la maison, le calme d’une nuit, le sourire d’un enfant. »
His remarks highlighted not only the human cost of the conflict but also the ability of families to hold on to what matters most despite the trauma.
Hope for Christian Couples in Ukraine
Victoria and Dmytro Demedyuk, members of the Teams of Our Lady in Ukraine, shared their testimony of trust in God despite the uncertainties of war.
They emphasized how faith helps families get through difficult times:
« Nous remettons notre vie entre les mains du Seigneur Dieu et acceptons sa volonté en tout ce qu’il a préparé pour nous. »
Through their testimonies, they have shown that family stability remains a source of peace and hope for all of Ukrainian society.
L’Œuvre d’Orient’s Long-Standing Commitment to Ukraine
Antoine Renard, former president of the FAFCE and board member of L’Œuvre d’Orient, highlighted the long-standing ties between the association and Ukraine.
Since its founding following the Treaty of Paris in 1856, L’Œuvre d’Orient has supported Christians in the East and in Eastern Europe. Its support for Ukraine has grown over the decades, particularly for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and has taken on special significance since the start of the war in 2022.
Today, the organization continues its humanitarian work among civilian populations, displaced families, parishes, schools, and religious communities.
Rebuilding Ukraine: Justice, Religious Freedom, and the Future of Families
During his remarks, Antoine Renard also called on European institutions to take action to pave the way for a just and lasting peace.
Several priorities were highlighted:
- facilitate the return of the 19,500 Ukrainian children deported by the Russian authorities;
- recognize religious persecution as a state policy directed against certain communities;
- fully incorporate religious freedom into future peace agreements;
- to protect Ukraine's cultural and spiritual heritage;
- address the demographic crisis that threatens the country's future;
- support reconstruction projects that benefit the entire population, including those led by organizations inspired by the social doctrine of the Church.
“Keep Your Spirits Up”: A Message of Hope for Ukraine
From Ukraine, where he was traveling at the time of the conference, Bishop Hugues de Woillemont, executive director of L’Œuvre d’Orient, sent a message to the participants:
« Haut les cœurs. Ce que vous avez déjà fait est hors norme. La résilience du peuple ukrainien, qui s’est acquise dans les familles, est spectaculaire. »
This conviction echoes the words of Pope Francis:
« La famille est au cœur du projet de Dieu, et Dieu n’abandonnera pas. »
As well as those of Pope Leo XIV during the Jubilee of Families:
« C’est dans les familles que se construit l’avenir des peuples. »
Toward Partnerships Between European and Ukrainian Families
To build on this spirit of solidarity, Antoine Renard proposed working with the FAFCE to establish partnerships between European families and Ukrainian families.
The goal is to provide moral, spiritual, and—where possible—material support in order to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among the peoples of Europe and to support Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction.
The conference concluded with a personal account by Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko, who shared her experiences of the war in the former Yugoslavia and emphasized how families remain the primary builders of peace.
Watch the conference again
The conference is available as a replay on the European Parliament's website:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/streaming/?event=20260422-1630-SPECIAL-OTHER
