(OSV News): Konrad Cardinal Krajewski, papal almoner and prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, has declined a medal awarded by Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, instead urging the world’s Catholics to continue helping Ukraine as the country faces a brutal winter exacerbated by relentless Russian attacks.
“In helping suffering Ukraine for the last four years, I was just doing my job,” Cardinal Krajewski explained. “You can’t be awarded a medal for this.”
He received notice from Ukraine’s president that he had been awarded a Medal of Merit.
The cardinal coordinates the Vatican’s humanitarian efforts for Ukraine, distributing aid and visiting the country repeatedly to bring comfort from the Holy Father.
He said the medal should go to all Catholics who have helped Ukraine over the past four years.
Cardinal Krajewski spoke as Russian attacks continued to devastate Ukraine’s infrastructure, leaving cities such as Kyiv without power and forcing residents into emergency shelters. A recent offensive has caused the worst winter energy crisis since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Recent Vatican humanitarian convoys have sent medicine and other vital supplies to Ukraine.
On January 21, Vatican News appealed for donations of warm clothing, blankets, heating equipment, and high-energy food for Ukrainians enduring freezing conditions.
Cardinal Krajewski described the bombardment of infrastructure during freezing temperatures as “genocide,” highlighting the deadly risk for those left without power.
The cardinal echoed the words of Zelenskyy, who said January 22 in Davos, Switzerland, that Europe’s response to the war is slow, fragmented and inadequate.
Cardinal Krajewski appealed to Catholics to help Ukraine and remain steadfast in assisting the invaded nation “even though you’re tired. Because like Jesus asked us to forgive 77 times, we need to help 77 times if needed, this is our duty,” he said.
“For me, the greatest joy is that all those humanitarian trucks that left Santa Sofia reached Ukraine safely,” the cardinal said.
