Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach: In Ukraine, “their suffering is not forgotten”
Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach: In Ukraine, “their suffering is not forgotten”
msc
Tue, 07/21/2026 - 19:03
Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), was part of a World Council of Churches (WCC)-led delegation that made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July. He took time to reflect on his impressions of the people he met, and on why a solidarity visit can ultimately be an expression of apostolic truth.
Image
Photo: Deacon Andrii Sydor/Orthodox Church of Ukraine
What do you take with you from the WCC solidarity visit?
Rev. Fischbach: I am thankful to WCC that CEC was invited to join the WCC delegation for this solidarity visit. We worked very well together, and it was an example how ecumenical organisations on different geographical levels can act together. I felt ashamed how this solidarity visit was received as a bold, courageous, and true sign of solidarity, because I thought of all Ukrainians experiencing this war and the threats it poses every day for more than four years. But it proved that this kind of visit strengthens the Ukrainian churches and the…
