Saint statue vandalized at Ukrainian Catholic cathedral in Canada

May 24, 2019 CNA Daily News News Briefs 0 Print

Winnipeg, Canada, May 24, 2019 / 05:13 pm (CNA).- St. Vladimir died of old age in 1015, but his modern-day statue in Canada met a much more gruesome end.

The rector of Sts Volodymyr and Olga Cathedral in Winnipeg said he is “devastated” after a statue of St. Vladimir was found decapitated Tuesday.

The head, along with pieces of the statue’s staff, are still missing, church officials told the CBC.

Fr. Michael Buyachok is pastor of the cathedral of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg. The statue was a landmark of the parish, beloved by parishioners, and created by a local sculptor, Buyachok told the CBC.

“It’s a tragic event, because the statue symbolizes something for us. Our congregation, they know the statue from memory. But that’s the way it is,” he said.

It’s especially devastating because the statue had been blessed by St. John Paul II during his visit to Winnipeg in 1984, Buyachok added.

Police have been informed of the incident, which they described as vandalism and theft, they told CBC.

St. Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of Kiev, is venerated for being baptized in 988, which resulted in the Christianization of Kievan Rus’, a state whose heritage Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus all claim.

It is yet unclear who cut off and stole the head of the statue and parts of the staff. Church officials said nearby residents of a nursing home reported teenagers playing around the statue on Monday night, while residents of an apartment complex behind the statue reported hearing a grinding sound early Tuesday morning, they told the CBC.

“I really couldn’t tell you. I think it’s just vandalism, straight vandalism,” Buyachok told the CBC. “They wouldn’t have anything against the cathedral, because the statue’s been there for years, since 1984.”

The church has informed local metal scrappers of the incident, in case they are sold the head or staff.

Buyachok said he just hoped the pieces would be returned.

“I would just simply tell them, just return the head to us. We won’t prosecute you,” he said. “Let those that prosecute people, let them do that. But we won’t do anything to you, because what’s the point?”

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Polish dancers at the reception following this year’s World Day for Migrants and Refugees Mass at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Sept. 23, 2023. / Credit: Nicholas Elbers

Vancouver, Canada, Oct 7, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Eastern European floral prints were resplendent next to elaborate Asian headdresses at this year’s Mass celebrating the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 23 in Richmond, British Columbia.

The event’s attendance was back to pre-COVID numbers, and St. Paul’s Church in Richmond was packed to capacity. An African choir provided music during Communion, and several hundred people attended a post-Mass reception with ethnic food served from many of the cultures present and performances by cultural choirs and dancers. 

Attendees at the post-Mass reception with ethnic food served from many of the cultures present and performances by cultural choirs and dancers, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
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In his homily, Father Richard Zanotti said it’s essential that migrants and refugees don’t get blamed for seeking a life of dignity.

“The universality of the Church is made visible by all of you gathered for this Eucharist, many cultures around one table to celebrate God’s love for us all,” said the Scalabrinian pastor of St. Ann’s, where he works with migrant workers in the Fraser Valley.

The Church teaches us that we all have a right to a life of dignity, replete with basic human needs like food, shelter, medical attention, and dignified work, he said.

Migrants and refugees must not be blamed for seeking a life of dignity, said Father Richard Zanotti at St. Paul's Church at the Migrants and Refugees Mass in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
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In his address for this year’s Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis said: “Since the world’s resources are not unlimited, the development of the economically poorer countries depends on the capacity for sharing that we can manage to generate among all countries.”

Until that happens, “many people will still have to emigrate in order to seek a better life, a life worthy of dignity,” the pope said.

Reflecting on the pope’s message, Zanotti said it’s important not to blame migrants and refugees but to look at the world’s responsibility for supporting poor countries so their people don’t feel compelled to leave.

“We pray for the political will to do this in a safe and orderly way,” Zanotti said.

Music minster at Migrants and Refugees Mass in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
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‘If I was caught, it could mean death’: a refugee’s testimony

As is the custom after the Mass, the audience heard from a Catholic refugee who shared her story of coming to Canada.

This year’s testimony came from an Eritrean woman who shared how she escaped the injustice of her home country. She asked that her name not be published.

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“Thirteen years ago, I decided to leave Eritrea, the country that I grew up in and I loved.

“Under dictatorship, soldiers had put us forever in slavery. Life was unbearable, and we were working unpaid for the government.” One day she went with a friend to a shoe store to buy plastic sandals, she said, “the kind our freedom fighters wore during the 30-year war for independence in my country. I was ready for my journey to freedom in my freedom shoes.”

This article originally appeared in The B.C. Catholic on Oct. 5, 2023, and has been adapted and reprinted here with permission.

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