THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN UKRAINE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINIANS IN THE CONDITIONS OF MODERN WAR
Keywords:
Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, psychological assistance, war of the Russian Federation against UkraineAbstract
The article examines the features of the activities of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine on psychological assistance to Ukrainians in the conditions of the modern war of the Russian Federation against our state. Based on the analysis of the sources of the RCC in Ukraine, it is clarified which church units are involved in the organization of such assistance (a number of Commissions and church organizations, primarily Caritas-Spes and the Maltese Aid Service), within the framework of which centers and projects and by what professional forces it is implemented, how the relevant training of the clergy of the RCC in Ukraine is carried out. The characteristic methods, techniques and forms (both individual and collective ones) of providing psychological assistance, the categories of its addressees (from children and socially vulnerable adults to the servicemen) used in this Church are revealed. It was found that a characteristic feature of providing of psychological assistance is not only assistance in overcoming already received psychological traumas, but also drawing attention to the worldview-determined opportunities for mastering practical skills for the prevention of traumatization by stressful events. It was determined that in its activities on providing psychological assistance to Ukrainians, the RCC in Ukraine enjoys significant support from the Apostolic Capital, structures and organizations of the RCC (worldwide and European). The last ones have united for this purpose in the working group “Catholic Response for Ukraine”. Their non-mentoring attitude towards the recipients of assistance, appreciation of the experience of Ukrainian Catholics in psychological assistance work and trust in it and in their already successfully operating relevant projects were noted. It was found that in the implementation of psychological assistance, the RCC in Ukraine closely cooperates with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: in joint training of clergy for this purpose and in organizing and carrying out activities of the Centers for such assistance.
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