"The closeness to the Lord must precede and invigorate your every action," - Pope Francis to the Catholic Bishops of Ukraine

This is reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.

"In the context of many of the current difficulties that your beloved country is experiencing, I would like first of all to remind you that today the world is seeking the closeness of God, even unconsciously," the Ecumenical Bishop writes in a letter to the Catholic hierarchs of Ukraine, whom he calls brothers in the episcopacy.

The Pope stressed that closeness to God should precede and enliven every action of Ukrainian bishops. From this closeness to God, according to the Holy Father Francis, also comes closeness to the people entrusted to their care.

"Jesus loves to approach his brothers through us, through our hands, our words, and our heart. Even in our humility, we must make sure that no one sees God as distant, that no one sees God as an excuse to build walls, destroy bridges, and sow hatred. Our mission is to proclaim by life a measure of immeasurable love that seeks not its own self-interest, but at the boundless horizon of God's mercy," the Pope emphasizes.

In conclusion, the Holy Father wholeheartedly blessed the bishops and all the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care.

Note that from November 24 to 26, 2020, the annual joint recollections of Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine are being held at the recollection House of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lviv-Bryukhovychi. This year's spiritual subjects are being taught by Bishop Mykola Luchok, assistant bishop of the Mukachevo Diocese of the RCC. Also, today, after lunch, after the completion of spiritual exercises, a fraternal meeting of Catholic hierarchs of Ukraine will be held.