Fr. Roman Wynnyczuk is a young priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. After the outbreak of the war, he became a military chaplain and serves in a military hospital in western Ukraine. Despite his lack of experience, Fr. Roman answered God’s call to serve wounded soldiers on the front lines. “One should not be afraid of something new, afraid of talking to military personnel, especially the wounded. I learned to speak to them naturally,” he tells Vatican media.
Initial Fear
He was ordained a priest in 2021. He first worked in a parish, and after the full-scale war began in Ukraine, he received the opportunity to serve wounded soldiers. “At first, I was a little worried, I felt a certain fear – it was something new for me, it was a responsibility. Moreover, military service is something one doesn’t know in depth. But I trusted God, I felt that I had to serve in this way, and I decided to accept this ministry, which I do not regret – on the contrary, I am very happy,” he recalls.
Serves Everyone
Military chaplains primarily provide pastoral care. This includes celebrating liturgy and administering sacraments. However, a hospital is not a parish where people of the same faith usually gather. The priest serves people from all over Ukraine, of various denominations and religions. A chaplain is a person who serves everyone, not only patients but also medical staff. He also engages in social and charitable activities, as patients sometimes need material help – clothes or food. Chaplains also work in the educational and cultural sphere, organizing lectures and lessons on historical and religious topics to engage people and give them the opportunity to learn something new. “We serve people with various injuries – there are seriously wounded patients, also with disabilities and amputations – and everyone receives what we offer in their own way. But it is important for the Church to be present and for the chaplain to be with them, to provide support when someone needs it,” he emphasizes.
Asked what is most important in the chaplain’s ministry, he emphasizes that the first thing is not to be afraid of what is new, not to be afraid to talk to military personnel, especially the wounded, veterans. “I learned to speak to them naturally, with respect. And generally, I see their gratitude when someone visits them. It is important to listen to people. You don’t have to give advice – just listen and be present,” says Fr. Wynnyczuk.
Inspirations
The chaplain says that it is a surprise for him that when he visits soldiers, he receives a huge amount of positive energy from them; “many of them are determined to move forward despite their wounds.”
There are also people who cannot cope with the suffering they experience. “That is why there are psychologists, psychotherapists, and various types of counselors who help to get out of this state and return to a normal rhythm of life. It is not easy, you cannot force anyone, help is offered and if someone wants it, they will receive support,” adds the chaplain.
In the Face of Immense Suffering
“Sometimes there are moments when it is very difficult to see someone with such severe wounds. And it must be said that it’s not just military personnel – among the wounded there are also civilians, children – and all of this is very painful,” noted the priest chaplain. He also added that for him, the primary source of strength is faith in God, who has the final word. “He gives me strength on this path through suffering. And then I draw strength from the desire to help those I serve,” he emphasized. In an interview with Vatican media, he also added that “if God wills, this war will end and a just peace will prevail – then it will be important to remember them and not forget the sacrifice they made for all of us.”
Signs of Hope
Fr. Wynnyczuk emphasized that, above all, their hope is in God. “Everyone thought Ukraine would fall when the invasion began, yet it did not – the nation mobilized, and these soldiers are giving their lives to defend our country. In a dark moment, our people united, and the whole world also responded – it offered and continues to offer material aid and spiritual support,” he pointed out. He added that it is important to remain united, for everyone to do what they can. For Christians, prayer is important, offering supplication to God for Ukraine, for the nation, and for the military.
