A spiritual leader of Ukrainian-Americans in the central San Joaquin Valley described a dire picture on the ground in his family’s home country, as relayed by friends trapped by the Russian invasion. The Rev. Dr. Greg Zubacz is pastor at the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Apostalate of the Archangel Michael in Clovis. He faulted Western nations for not supplying sufficient arms to Ukrainians.
On Facebook, he said friends are relying on small arms and ammunition supplied by the Ukrainian government as they prepare for Russian troops to move into the nation’s cities. Some are making Molotov cocktails, homemade gasoline bombs for use against tanks, in their kitchen sinks.
Zubacz, who came to the Valley from Canada, is a veteran of the Canadian Navy and Air Force, and practiced as an attorney before becoming a priest. He is also an assistant professor at Fresno Pacific University.
His father immigrated to Canada from Ukraine, and his family has a history of persecution by the former Soviet Union. In the late 1940s, the family was deported from Ukraine to a gulag in Siberia, and two family members died there before the family was allowed to return to the Ukrainian city of Odessa. Zubacz said during Soviet rule, it was the objective of the Marxist government to “exterminate” Ukrainian language and culture through “Russification.” The very name of the capital, Kviv, was changed to the Russian, Kiev.
The motivations of Russian President Putin for the attack on Ukraine are unclear, said Zubacz, but “he is a product of a system that doesn’t have a logical way of changing its government.” And he said Putin was not in fear of President Joe Biden or afraid of sanctions, which he termed only “symbolic.”
“He knew this was his time to make a move.” Asked what will Ukrainians do against the invasion, he said: “People are going to fight back like lions. They love their country. The (Ukrainian) army will fall, and it will turn into a war of resistance.” Zubacz said that given Putin’s character, a nuclear conflict was not out of the question. “Putin certainly demonstrated he will do whatever it takes to win.”
To help with humanitarian relief, donate on the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s website ukrarcheparchy.us.
The above comes from a Feb. 26 article in the Fresno Bee.
Sorry for both Ukraine and Russia. US stay out. No reason for us to further meddle.
Humanitarian aid is certainly most appropriate, regardless of one’s other opinions about what should be done (or not done).
As some have suggested, without going to war, one way the United States and Europe could put pressure on Russia would be by no longer buying oil and natural gas from them. Russia depends on Euros and dollars, which they currently receive in excessively large amounts from us. From Forbes Magazine Feb. 24, 2022: “The United States imported more gasoline and other refined petroleum products from Russia than any other country in 2021.”
We would need to produce and transport more oil and natural gas (which would also reduce prices and help our economy and which we process and transport in some of the most environmentally responsible ways of any nation). This would be one of the ways to help Ukraine short of armed intervention by NATO. Economic pressure on Russia might cause them to reconsider the cost of taking over Ukraine.
Of course, the UN could try something, but the UN has been generally ineffective since the Korean war.
A boycott of Russian oil and natural gas is better than war, which must always be the last resort.
As one senator noted, “I’m in awe of the Ukrainian people. I have never seen a leader rise to the occasion more than President Zelenskyy has done. I’m in awe of all of the men and women of Ukraine who are literally willing to die for their freedom. So here’s my statement to the American people: It is in our interest to help. We should have as much will to produce oil and gas to help our economy and our allies as the Ukrainians do to stand up to a Russian tank.”
The Ukrainians aren’t asking others to fight and die for them (they’re willing to do that themselves). They’re simply asking Europe, the US and other countries to help them against this Russian invasion.
And, of course, pray for peace and all victims of the tragedy of war.
I am more than wary of media reports. I remember all the fake Iraq and Afghanistan lies from government too.
We have more to fear from our own ruling class than Putin and Russia
US stay out. This is a dangerous gamble
I too am wary of media reports. I’m hearing from our Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops and clergy. Do you doubt that Russia invaded Ukraine? I’m not suggesting US military involvement. But, we should, at the least, provide humanitarian aid for our brothers and sisters and others there.
There’s just too much evidence if US meddling in their elections, supplying “rebels” with weapons, not to mention Biden family financial shenanigans. Should I mention Ukraine NATO membership? Do you know Russian security history at all? Can you imagine USSR pushing offensive weapons 90 miles from US border? Oh, wait. That happened, didn’t it? Now that the ruling class has run out of covid to push, we can have the next crisis the Russian threat that we created ourselves, huh?
Sorry Deacon, this war is dream of the neo cons the same band of criminals who lied about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. Russia is not dirt path in the middle east this could easily spill in a nuclear conflict. Hate to say it but Ukraine is on its own, not worth a drop of American blood. It is way past time for the US to become much more isolationist. Depending on the outcome this was will end globalism and the neo liberal world order, one way or another
There is absolutely no reason not to provide humanitarian aid to those suffering, that’s what I’m urging us to do immediately. In fact, it’s a sin not to. Don’t take my word for it. Look at what our Lord says in Matthew 25:32-46. “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (v. 42-46) This war is no “dream of the neo cons” for those in Ukraine today. Helping the wounded and refugees, feeding the hungry and other corporal acts of mercy are not “meddling.”
Whom do you propose to protect the humanitarian aiders?
Any President who tries to trade aid to Ukraine for dirt on their political opponents family ought to be impeached.
Oh wait, he already was.
YFC, Are you aware he hasn’t been president for more than a year?
It’s a good thing the angelic Catholic Bidens haven’t had any shady dealings with Ukraine or Russia. Oh, wait, they already have.
“YFC, Are you aware he hasn’t been president for more than a year?”
Yes I am. Could you please inform him, since he seems to think he still is. He and the Shaman and all his co-conspirators.
He also seems to think Putin is admirable. That would be like Churchill saying Hitler was admirable, or Stalin was admirable.
I got news for you: He ain’t no Churchill.
YFC did you know the current fossil Biden (along with Obama) helped overthrow a duly elected Ukrainian president and replaced him with a lackey for the EU. What you cant stand is the Russians will NOT tolerate the Alphabet mafia polluting their minds of the children in fact he crushes them Burn that rainbow flag
Bohemond, even if you are right (though I seriously doubt it), Ukrainian children are not Russia’s children. In fact, if I’m reading you right, you advocate Putins murder of Ukrainian children. Shame
uh oh, I am not goose stepping to the media’s elitist narrative. To be honest YFC we have record inflation, an invasion on our own southern border and sky rocketing crime, I really dont care about one strongman invading the territory of another strongman. And no Ukraine is NOT a democracy despite what the uni-mind media states. I am advocating for the destruction of the LGBT syndicate
Nobody except you thinks any of this has anything to do with LGBT anything. And it is just sad that you compare the situation in Ukraine with families trying to find a better life for themselves and their children, who are being driven out of their own countries by corruption, violence, and human trafficking. Can you at least find it in your heart to pray for Ukraine?
Allowing migrants into our southern border unabated will do nothing more than to increase the size of the permanent underclass. And make even harder for the working and middle classes. Those who promote this nonsense, do not explain in any way how this madness will benefit the citizens of this country. 1) they know it will not 2) they simply do not care.
bohemond, we are not having a debate on the merits and demerits of immigration. We are talking about a pure unadulterated war of aggression by Putin, which he is now threatening nuclear war. To even compare that to families migrating, whether you support immigration or not, is just crazy – and by the way – shows how little you understand about Catholic social teaching on migration and war going back about 120 years. And neither has anything to do with LGBT issues, though gay people apparently live rent free in your mind.
I would ask you to go back and re-read Deacon Anderson’s post about the necessity of at least providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians at this time. And again, the most practical thing we can do right now is probably to pray and support our every western democracy who are trying to bring and end to this horror. Leave the side issues for another day, please.
YFC if your elitist friends in government and the media drags us into a nuclear conflict, will you finally admit to be wrong…??
“Nobody except you thinks any of this has anything to do with LGBT anything.”….and Ambassador Crocker…..
“The letter, written by Bathsheba Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, said, ‘I would like to bring to your attention disturbing information recently obtained by the United States that indicates that human rights violations and abuses in the aftermath of a further invasion are being planned.’
‘These acts, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture, would likely target those who oppose Russian actions,’ said the letter addressed to Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
Crocker says the Russian military’s targets would include Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and ‘vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons.’”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/02/20/ukraine-russia-human-rights/
“…… gay people apparently live rent free in your mind.”….and on CBS News….
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transgender-woman-transphobia-russia-ukraine-invasion/
This minority of a minority is able to turn the world upside down… and their evil advances
“Hey Nancy, it’s Owen”
“Owen who?”
“O and 2”
Yikes. Trump livin’ rent free in yfc head
Zelensky announced that he is starting up an International Legion. So if you hate the evil putin trump axis go over and fight instead of your usual prog nonsense.
Pray and sacrifice.
Sacrifice being mean to each other.
Those in Ukraine are a little too busy to be reading their Bible.
I am sure that they are praying, though.
Offer something up for all their intentions that are in accord with the will of God.
Pray for them to understand that the Lord is fighting for them but to stay humble and to give the glory to God.
Democrats still have Trump Derangement Syndrome.
When will they admit that Biden is compromised, inept, cognitively incapable, and failing in everything he does.
The State of the Union will be full of lies.
Don’t trust anyone who pushed mask mandates or vaccine mandates. They are enemies of truth and goodness.
If only the pope would consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. /sarc off
Today, there was a heart-breaking news story, about a Ukrainian Orthodox priest and military chaplain, who was killed by Russian soldiers, in his car. And the Russian soldiers next refused to allow Ukrainians in a nearby village to take the poor priest’s body, and give him a decent, proper Christian burial.
Eternal memory! Let us pray for that priest and all who’ve died. Lord, have mercy.
Вечная память, Vechnaya Pamyat!
Oh, that’s wonderful, Deacon Anderson. I know you are a Deacon of an Eastern Rite Church (Byzantine?) too. I felt so badly for that poor Ukrainian Orthodox priest and his family. A tragic martyr, for Our Lord Jesus Christ. May his soul now be in Our Lord’s loving embrace, in Heaven.
It is a very evil act to give a thumbs down to any Catholic commenter who expresses deep sorrow over the murder of one of God’s holy priests.
“Any President who tries to trade aid to Ukraine for dirt on their political opponents family ought to be impeached.
Oh wait, he already was.”
Yes, when dirt is found on someone and it’s real it’s time to do something about it. That’s why we report pedophiles not only to the Diocese, but call the police. That’s why we fire employees for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work. That’s why even a Catholic Sister has gone to prison for stealing money from the school where she was principal.
Now go grab a photo of Hunter (one with clothing on) with his Ukrainian cash or Joe with his nose buried in some child’s hair. It might remind you of some things.
And no, I do not support Putin!!!
Correct, Father John, the proper thing to do when one suspects illegality is to report it to the qualified authorities for investigation and prosecution. The improper thing is to use it to one’s political advantage, especially not create a quid pro quo where the interests of our country and theirs is at stake, and the end result is a headline instead of jail time, and two countries weakened by an authoritarian leader who holds on to power no matter the consequences.
Lord make me an instrument of your wrath
You project upon God your own irrational anger.
YFC, anger purifies and God’s wrath will purify the world of LGBT and Leftist filth
Please.
The “Kraines are fighting dirty, to make it look like the Russians are…
Zalensky has
1. ordered all people fleeing Ukraine shot on sight without even questioning who they are.
2.Had ordered all men under the age of 65 to join the army and fight Russia. If they are found and they refuse to join, they are killed. What the video shows is a couple attempting to get out of Ukraine to avoid this being shot on sight.
Obviously not true otherwise how could a million Ukrainians have made it into Poland alive. It is true that men are not permitted to leave so that they can fight. I don’t think they are being shot on site.
Has this website been hacked?