Meeting of Ukrainian Basilians with the Dutch Minister in Rome
On the morning of March 18, 2022, the quiet street of Sant Alessio, where the Generalate of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great is located, was blocked by a convoy from the Dutch Foreign Ministry. Mr. Wopke Hoekstra, who is the Dutch Foreign Minister, had decided unexpectantly to visit the sisters to personally hear about their vision of the current situation and about their service in Ukraine and abroad in connection with the war.
Together with him came: Ms Ambassador Caroline Weijers, Ms Erika Schouten, Director European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahmed Dadou, Particular Secretary to the Minister, Ms Willemien Veldman, Spokesman Minister and Ms Dineke Vrolijk, Officer EU Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At this meeting, the Basilian Sisters had the opportunity to talk about the sisters’ ministry during the war in Ukraine. After all, since the first days of the war, the sisters had been helping refugees and needy victims in the war zone, participating in various volunteer organizations, cooperating with support organizations, hospitals, and directly accepting refugees into the monasteries, helping to organize their lives, transportation and other necessities. Minister Hoekstra stressed that he was impressed by the resistance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the entire Ukrainian nation to the aggressor, as well as the service of the Basilian Sisters, and assured them of the support of the Netherlands for Ukraine during this difficult time. The sisters participating in this meeting spoke about our international Order, the role and place of the Most Holy Trinity Province in it, as well as the ministry of the Sisters of our Order in regarding the war in Ukraine. The sisters shared their views on whether a dialogue with the aggressor was possible and the impact of propaganda in Russia and other countries. At the meeting, we also discussed how the Netherlands can help Ukraine now. The delegation from the Netherlands, together with the Sisters in the Chapel of the Generalate, raised their hearts to the Lord asking Him to protect, defend and guide the Ukrainian people during the war. We hope that this meeting will be another step towards the victory of justice and truth in Ukraine and around the world.
