Speech of His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok at the Rally Commemorating the Fourth Anniversary of the Full‑Scale Invasion of Ukraine in Sydney

Speech of His Eminence Mykola CardinalBychok CSsR
Rally Commemorating the Fourth Anniversary of the Full‑Scale Invasion of Ukraine
Forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney — 24 February 2026

Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends of Ukraine,

Today we gather with heavy hearts, because although the full‑scale invasion began four years ago, this war did not begin in 2022. It began in 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Since then, Ukraine has endured relentless aggression, escalating into the brutal and unjust war we witness today—a war that has brought unimaginable suffering to our people. We stand here not only to remember, but to speak the truth, to defend human dignity, and to pray for peace rooted in justice.

Among the many wounds inflicted on our nation, one cries out with particular anguish: the abduction of Ukrainian children. Thousands of our sons and daughters—some as young as infants—have been taken from their homes, separated from their families, transported deep into Russia, and subjected to forced assimilation. This is not only a violation of international law; it is a violation of the most sacred bond God has created—the bond between parent and child.

These children are not statistics. They are living souls. They have names, stories, dreams. They belong to families who wait every day for news, who pray every night for a miracle, who refuse to surrender hope. And we stand with them. We raise our voices for them. We will not allow the world to forget them.

At the same time, we must speak clearly about another danger: the so‑called “peace agreements” that demand Ukraine make concessions to the aggressor. Such proposals are not peace—they are surrender dressed in diplomatic language. True peace can never be built on injustice, coercion, or the abandonment of innocent people. We condemn any call that asks Ukraine to give up her children, her land, or her dignity.

As a Church, we believe that every child is an icon of God’s love. To steal a child is to attempt to steal the future. Yet even in this darkness, we proclaim that evil does not have the final word. The Lord hears the cry of the poor, and He gathers every tear. Our prayers—your prayers—are not wasted. They rise like incense before God, and they strengthen those who fight for truth, for justice, and for the return of every stolen child.

Prayer is not passive. Prayer is power. It sustains the defenders on the front lines. It consoles the mothers who wait. It strengthens the diplomats and humanitarian workers who labour tirelessly to bring these children home. And it keeps our own hearts from becoming hardened by hatred or despair.

Today, as we stand before this great cathedral, we unite our voices with millions around the world. We pray for the liberation of Ukraine, for the healing of her wounds, and especially for the safe return of every child who has been taken. We pray for peace—not the peace of silence or surrender, but the peace that flows from truth, justice, and the triumph of human dignity.

May the Lord bless Ukraine. May He protect her children. And may He grant us the grace to remain steadfast in hope until the day when every family is reunited, every injustice is answered, and peace returns to our beloved homeland.

And now, let us pray for all who have died in this war; for those who defend Ukraine, prisoners of war, wounded and missing in actions; for first responders, doctors, nurses and firefighters; for those entrusted with leadership; and for all Ukrainians who suffer. We pray with confidence, because we know that God is close to the broken‑hearted. We know that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. We know that Ukraine’s spirit—formed by faith, strengthened by suffering, and sustained by prayer—cannot be conquered.

Let us now pray together the Our Father as Christ Our Saviour taught us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.