Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has honoured a Dominican Sister for her efforts to provide humanitarian aid and support since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Source Catholic Review.
Dominican Sister María Lucía Caram Padilla was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, III class, for her war relief efforts.
During his official visit to Madrid on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskyy met with Sr Lucía, director of the Santa Clara Convent Foundation, along with Juan Carlos Cruz, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and a supporter of Sr Lucía’s humanitarian work.
Presenting her with the civil decoration, Mr Zelenskyy thanked the Argentine nun and expressed his gratitude for her service in aiding those in need.
“You have visited my home country more than 40 times since the very beginning of the Russian aggression,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
“And each time, I know you leave a piece of your heart, you pray, you help our warriors undergoing treatment, and you provide substantial humanitarian assistance. We are truly grateful.”
Sr Lucía said yesterday that “the recognition, more than for me, is for all the people who have helped me to be able to do what we have done”.
During his meeting with Sr Lucía and Mr Cruz, she said, Mr Zelenskyy spoke about the current situation and “how Russia is taking region by region and destroying the infrastructure, mainly so people will be cold and without electricity.”
Sr Lucía said the meeting “was a very heartwarming moment” and that he was “very receptive, very grateful, and at the same time very communicative about the reality his country is experiencing”.
“I saw him as a strong leader, but it is clear that he is very concerned about the direction the war is taking and that there is no end in sight. I think this is what worries us all the most,” she added.
Mr Zelenskyy’s one-day visit to Spain was part of his efforts to rally support from allies as Russia continued its relentless assault on Ukraine.
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Ukrainian president honours Dominican Sister for war relief efforts (By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News via Catholic Review)
