Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, has called the July 6 Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian City of Lviv a “barbaric” act that has “deprived hundreds of people of their homes.”
“The attack of innocent civilians by Russia is unconscionable. We ask all people to pray, to be informed, and to help as you can,” the archbishop said in a statement released July 6.
Archbishop Gudziak, who also serves as president of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, said the missile attack hit buildings within 200 meters of the university campus.
“Four university buildings have minor damage. The university is preparing lodging for those who have been forced from their homes, who have lost everything,” the archbishop said.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces launched the missile attack from the Black Sea, targeting Lviv and the surrounding region. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted seven of the 10 incoming 10 missiles. Preliminary assessment of the damage shows that five people were killed and 37 were injured. More than 30 houses were destroyed. Also damaged were apartment buildings, a school building and other structures.
“This is the most destructive attack on the civilian population in the Lviv region since the beginning of the full-scale war,” the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy said in a statement. July 8 will be the 500th day of Russia’s full-invasion of Ukraine.
Bridget Brink, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, described the attack as “vicious.” In a tweet, she said, “Russia’s repeated attacks on civilians are absolutely horrifying.”
A two-day period of mourning has been declared in Lviv.
“Having just spent two weeks with bishops, clergy, politicians, students, soldiers, mothers and children, widows and orphans I can say that Ukrainians are holding strong,” Archbishop Gudziak said. “But the danger is daily and real, the trauma is deep, and it behooves the entire free world to respond in support of the brave defenders of freedom and justice.”
Archbishop Gudziak has been Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia of the Ukrainian Catholic Church since 2019. Of the 23 Eastern-rite Churches in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, the Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest, with 6 million members worldwide.
