In the Vatican on January 31, 2024, a meeting took place between Cardinal Claudio Gudgerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and representatives of the Pastoral Migration Department of the UGCC.
This was reported by the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC.
During the meeting, they discussed the situation in Ukraine and the activities of the Pastoral Migration Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Bishop Stepan presented a report on the department's activities for the year 2023. The department currently oversees 138 communities in 16 countries worldwide, with 68 UGCC priests serving in these locations. In 2023, representatives of the department conducted 15 pastoral visits, visiting 37 communities. The meeting also discussed the department's work plan for the near future.
In turn, Archbishop Claudio Gudgerotti assured that he prays for the Ukrainian people and is ready to provide comprehensive support for the pastoral care of UGCC faithful beyond their homeland.
Apart from Bishop Stepan Sus, Father Andriy Hah, Deputy Head of the Pastoral Migration Department, and Father Roman Ilnytskyi, Secretary of the Pastoral Migration Department, also participated in the meeting.
It's worth noting that the goal of the Pastoral Migration Department of the UGCC is to ensure proper pastoral care for the faithful and facilitate the development of UGCC church structures where they are not yet established. Additionally, on behalf of the Head and Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, the department aims to optimize pastoral care for UGCC faithful in areas where church structures are absent.