Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine meets with UOC (MP) representatives

On June 14, 2017, Administrator of the UOC (MP), Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanych) met with the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti. It was reported by Information and Education Department of the UOC (MP).

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Mykolai Danylevych.

During the conversation the current state of Orthodox-Catholic relations at both the global and the Ukrainian level was discussed. In particular, the Apostolic Nuncio was communicated the position of the UOC (MP) on the recent events concerning the Annunciation Church in Kolomyia.

The interlocutors touched upon the church-state relations in Ukraine, including Bills 4511 and 4128 and other legislative initiatives of the Ukrainian parliament.

The Nuncio confirmed the previously expressed concern of the Vatican over the said bills, which, as stated the report, was repeatedly brought to the attention of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See and other officials of the Ukrainian authorities by representatives of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti also informed the representatives of the Ukrainian government on the Vatican's position on these bills.

During the communication it was noted that Orthodox and Catholics in Ukraine should jointly seek ways for peaceful coexistence and witness of Christ.