La Seu d’Urgell (Lleida), seat of the Diocese of Urgell, will welcome from July 12 to 19 fifty-five Ukrainian children and adolescents, aged 6 to 16, coming from areas affected by the war. The hosting is part of the initiative “Vacations with Peace: from Ukraine to La Seu d’Urgell”, promoted by the Santa Clara Convent Foundation with the support of the Diocese of Urgell, the collaboration of the City Council and various social entities in the area.
The program was presented on July 7, the solemnity of Saint Ot, in the cloister of the Cathedral of Santa Maria d’Urgell, in an event presided over by the Bishop of Urgell, Josep-Lluís Serrano, together with the Mayor of La Seu d’Urgell, Joan Barrera, and the director of the Santa Clara Convent Foundation, Sister Lucía Caram.
One week of welcome and rest
The minors will travel accompanied by adults and will stay for one week in the capital of Alt Urgell, in the Catalan Pyrenees, where they will take part in coexistence and leisure activities in an environment far from the conflict that continues to affect their country.
According to the organizers, the initiative seeks to offer these children and adolescents a few days of rest, companionship and coexistence, while promoting the involvement of institutions, entities and volunteers.
The support of the Diocese of Urgell
During the presentation, Sister Lucía Caram thanked the participating entities for their collaboration and especially highlighted the support received from the Diocese of Urgell.
The religious sister pointed out that this support “has made it possible to join efforts in this project of hospitality and solidarity”, aimed at offering temporary shelter to minors affected by the war.
Also participating in the event were the vicar general and rector of the parish of Sant Ot, Father Ignasi Navarri; the general secretary of the Diocese, Father David Codina; the councilor for Solidarity and Cooperation of the City Council, Jordi Mas; the president of the NGO Cruzada por la Alegría, Pere Mentruit, and representatives of other collaborating entities.
An initiative of ecclesial and institutional collaboration
The Santa Clara Convent Foundation promotes this program with the support of the Diocese of Urgell and the collaboration of various local institutions. For one week, La Seu d’Urgell will offer shelter to these 55 Ukrainian minors in an initiative that seeks to provide them with a time of rest and coexistence while the war continues in their country.