Meeting with politicians and public figures, the bishops of the UGCC wanted to thank the people of Germany for their solidarity with Ukraine. This was stated by the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in his traditional video address on the 119th week of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the session of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC in Munich.
"In the center of our Church's attention," he said, "was Germany - the large Ukrainian community and our Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainians in Germany and the Scandinavian countries. This Sunday, this historic, active, and very effective community celebrated 65 years since the establishment of this structure with a bishop's seat in Munich for our faithful in those areas."
Patriarch Sviatoslav thanked the Ukrainian community, which gathered from all over Germany to meet with the UGCC bishops.
"It was especially important for us to communicate with German statesmen. We had the opportunity to visit both the authorities of the city of Munich, the capital of Bavaria, the city that is the seat of the Ukrainian bishop in Germany, and the authorities of this federal state. Meeting with politicians and statesmen, we first of all wanted to thank the people of Germany for their solidarity with Ukraine. 60% of Germans believe that their government is not helping Ukraine enough. We felt great support and solidarity with Ukraine," said the Head of the UGCC.
Another important focus of the Permanent Synod's meetings was the dialogue with the local Roman Catholic Church, which is a significant source of support and solidarity with the Church in Ukraine. "Bishops from different parts of Germany specifically came to Munich to meet with the bishops of the Permanent Synod. They all assured us that no one in Germany is tired of Ukraine, despite Russian propaganda trying to change the support of this nation for our long-suffering Ukrainian people," added the Primate.
The Head of the Church noted that the bishops wanted to pay special attention to the pastoral care of the UGCC in Germany. There are 53 priests working very actively in these areas, serving 107 parishes and pastoral centers. People have expressed a great request for the development of this exarchate.
"May God bless the Ukrainian friends in Germany! We feel that their number will continue to grow. As the locomotive of Europe, Germany will do everything to ensure Ukraine's victory on all fronts comes as soon as possible," His Beatitude Sviatoslav assures.