Fr. Alberto Ares SJ Speaks to EWTN on Ukraine, Migration, and Keeping Hope Alive

During the interview, Fr. Alberto highlighted the scale of displacement caused by the war, noting that more than six million people have been forced to leave Ukraine and seek safety across Europe. He emphasised the extensive response led by Jesuit Refugee Service and Jesuit organisations across the continent in supporting refugees both inside Ukraine and in neighboring countries. 

“Every year we are reaching around 150,000 refugees from Ukraine,” Fr. Alberto explained, describing the response as a collective effort involving JRS country offices, Jesuit universities, mission offices, civil society organisations, and the Catholic Church. 

While Ukraine remains one of the most urgent humanitarian situations in Europe, Fr. Alberto also mentioned other migration hotspots across the continent and at Europe’s borders. “The reality we are facing is not only at the borders,” he said. “It is also about the values of hospitality, integration, and social inclusion.” 

The interview also addressed the upcoming implementation of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum and the potential impact it may have on refugees and organisations working in the field. “It seems that it will bring more detention and really much pain for the people.” Fr. Alberto mentioned  

Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed JRS Europe’s commitment to accompanying forcibly displaced people with dignity and compassion. 

“We are ready as Catholic organisation to be there, to bring hospitality, dignity, solidarity, and to keep hope alive,” he concluded. 

The conversation served as a reminder of the importance of standing alongside refugees and migrants during times of crisis and continuing to build communities based on compassion, inclusion, and solidarity.

watch the full interview here: