15 years of prayers to start the construction
A fence put on the building site on 15 of April 2013 became a New start of long-awaited construction of catholic church in Obolon district of Kiev. People were waiting for long 15 years to finally start the construction.
It is already the fifth time when the faithful and the Prior Fr.Fransisk Botvina OFM are trying to build the House of God in this city area called Obolon’, which is best known for production of alcohol.
The parish was caring to receive an approval for construction of the church for over 15 years. When it was finally approved, all necessary documents were received and ground was given by the Kyiv city Authorities, local citizens blocked it, standing against the construction of the church. During first three attempts to start the building last year they broke the fence and didn’t allow finishing it. After consecration of the territory, a Cross was put there as assign of the building-to-come and consecrated. During the following night the Cross was also sawed. The faithful from parishes of Cathedral Church of St.Alexander in Kiev and St. John of Dukla in Zhytomyr adored parts of the Cross, praying for people who are against construction.
It seemed that God heard prayers now. Finally the fence was put on the building site but again it wasn’t easy. Around 10 a.m.residents of the house nearby the territory of the future church didn’t let trucks to the fenced site shouting provocations towards the faithful. When they were asked why the casino situated in front of their block of flats doesn’t bother them but the House of God, - we heard only vulgarisms.
During this situation within the tense situation filled with threats shouted by local inhabitants, the most significant was the reaction of the faithful people, who answered with love to the provocations, although it was very difficult in the middle of that screaming and unveiled evil.
Evening news of “1+1” channel of 17 of April showed a video of the tenants of the house near by or – what is more possible – people hired by the ones who are financially interested in the land (which is legally owned by Roman-Catholic Church) are damaging the metallic fencing.
Thoughts of the eyewitnesses is perfectly described by one comment: “There was no any children playing yard on the place of present construction site for long time already. Instead of that it was filled with used syringes and broken glass bottles. Approximately in October some of the deputies although illegally arranged a Square on this territory, as the territory has an owner, who pays to the City a rental fee for many years already. THIS LAND DOES*N BNELONG OT THE TENANTS OF NEIGHBORING HOUSES. There was no fight. The faithful didn’t fight and will no go for it. The reaction and behavior of the police-“defenders” everyone who has a good sense can make conclusions from the video. Who is worth trust – everyone is free to make his own choice. As for me – I don’t really trust news describing the situation in such a “real” way.” (Olena K.)
The Prior Fr.Fransisk Botvina OFM encouraged the faithful to gather to pray on the construction site of the church. In the end the Litany of Loreto was prayed.
The investigation is carried out as actions of the people from neighboring houses are illegal. It goes both about the territory and about actual crime as sister Rozalia (who is a citizen Poland) who was present on the prayer was injured by a shot from the pneumatic gun.
fr. Pavlo Vyshkovskyy OMI, Christina Nadvorna and Oksana Lysiuk
Catholic Media Centre
