The head of the Lviv Oblast State Administration, Vasyl Horbal, held a meeting with the heads of the eparchial departments of the Lviv Oblast and discussed problems over which the clergy is concerned today and ways to settle them.
RISU was informed by the press service of the Lviv Oblast State Administration that in the beginning of the meeting, the head of the administration noted that the authorities of the Lviv region are open to the dialogue and cooperation with all representatives of the clergy and to the support of religious communities.
Mr. Horbal informed the clergy about the status of the preparation of the city and the region for Euro 2012 and asked the priests to pray for all people involved in the preparation and also asked to pray for the return of migrant workers to their homes.
“Today, I would like to hear from you the vision of the development of relations between the authorities and clergy for we expect certain investments for Euro 2012, certain investment projects for the complex development of all territories, and the clergy can advise where additional efforts and support are needed,” noted Mr. Horbal.
The Chancellor of the Drohobych-Sambir Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Mykola Biliak, proposed to establish a regional Council of Churches for more frequent meetings to discuss problems and proposals of representatives of the clergy. The head of the regional state administration, however, noted that the authorities cannot interfere in church matters. At the same time he assured that such meetings will be held more often, that the authorities will respond where necessary, for example, where legal assistance can be provided, land issues can be regulated, and documents can be drawn.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, and Roman Catholic Church.