The Father Agustín Gómez, LC, is originally from Irapuato, Guanajuato, and is currently in Krakow, Poland, leading a group of helping Ukrainian refugees, whom he assists with clothing, food, and a place to sleep.
The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised alerts worldwide, and the displaced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), amount to 1,534,792, who have fled this war since February 24.
Father Agustín Gómez, LC, was ordained a priest in 2020, and that same year he was sent to a community of the Legionaries of Christ in Poland to support work with young people in Krakow; he never imagined that life was preparing him for this moment:
“The situation is very intense, every day we go to the train station with volunteer youth to receive women and children who have left their husbands and older children to fight in the war. With volunteer youth, Boy Scouts, Regnum Christi families, and the enormous solidarity of the Polish people, we are supporting them by providing clothing, food, and a place to sleep,” he explained.
Overcoming evil with good
Regarding the overall situation, he explained: “There is a lot of fear that the war will spread here or that a larger-scale war will begin. Gasoline has run out in the provinces due to panic buying, and there is fear of cyberattacks.”
He assures that the exodus is impressive, “but the help coming from people is even stronger and more hopeful, the Church through Caritas and other well-organized institutions; it’s a miracle to see so many good hearts that, despite evil, are overcoming evil with good.”
Finally, Father Agustín asked for support: “We need your help through prayer and sacrifice, with financial support; and if you are near Poland, with clothing and food to support mothers with small children and the elderly. I thank you very much, and God bless you. I send you a big hug.”
It is worth mentioning that on March 9, an “Ecumenical Day of Prayer for Peace” was held, which was attended, among others, by Bishop Ramón Castro, Secretary General of the Mexican Episcopal Conference; Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar, President of the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue; as well as Alberto Meouchi and George Saad Abiyunes, bishops of the Maronite Eparchy of Mexico.
