Dominican Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe has begun a visit to Ukraine aimed at expressing solidarity with the local Church and the Dominican communities serving in a country marked by ongoing war. Arriving in Kyiv on 27 February, the Cardinal met Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi of Kyiv Zhytomyr and prayed at a makeshift memorial honoring soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. From 28 February to 1 March, he preached a retreat in the capital and is continuing his two week visit among Dominican friars across the country.
Reflecting on his presence in Ukraine, Cardinal Radcliffe said he did not come with a prepared message but with a willingness to listen. He explained that authentic Christian witness begins not with speeches but with attentive listening to God and to one another. This approach, he noted, lies at the heart of synodality. In times of suffering, listening becomes an act of communion and respect, especially when communities face fear and uncertainty.
During his retreat in Kyiv, the Cardinal focused on the Our Father, describing it as the greatest of all prayers and a source of strength in moments of trial. He recalled that Jesus prayed these words as He approached His own suffering and death. For believers living amid war, the Lord’s Prayer offers both consolation and direction, grounding them in trust even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
Speaking about the broader global situation, Cardinal Radcliffe acknowledged the increase in violence not only in Ukraine but also in the Holy Land and parts of Africa, including South Sudan. He observed that wars are breaking out in many regions, intensifying anxiety across continents. In such a context, he insisted that Christians are called to offer a clear witness that peace is possible and that war is not inevitable. The central message of Christian faith, he said, is hope.
He pointed to the Eucharist as the Sacrament of hope, instituted at the Last Supper when the prospect of death and violence was imminent. At that moment, Christ gave Himself fully. For Cardinal Radcliffe, this act remains a profound reminder that hope can emerge even in the darkest circumstances. He encouraged believers in Ukraine and elsewhere to place their hope in the Lord, trusting that divine peace ultimately prevails.
Addressing the importance of dialogue, the Cardinal warned against the temptation to close ears and hearts in times of conflict. His recent book The Seven Last Words, now available in Ukrainian, emphasizes the need to listen deeply, especially when disagreements arise. In a world often dominated by slogans and polarization, he said Christians must cultivate openness of mind and imagination, seeking to understand why others think differently.
For Cardinal Radcliffe, the synodal path offers the Church a way to model listening and discernment in a violent world. By fostering patient dialogue and prayerful reflection, Christians can become credible witnesses of hope in the midst of war.
