Head of UGCC meets with German ambassador to Ukraine

This was reported by the UGCC Department for Information.

During the conversation, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) outlined the current situation of the Church and Ukrainian society in the context of the ongoing full-scale war. He emphasized that the ministry of the UGCC plays a vital role in Ukrainian civil society, highlighting that in many regions, church structures have become humanitarian hubs and support centers for those affected by the conflict.

The head of the UGCC specifically addressed the challenges faced by the Church in temporarily occupied territories, particularly the destruction of church buildings. His Beatitude Sviatoslav described the ideology of the “Russian world” as heretical and dangerous to the Christian witness globally, drawing a comparison to the ideology of ISIS.

Additionally, the head of the UGCC stressed that freedom of religion is a crucial indicator of overall freedom within society and noted that Ukraine's current law on freedom of religion is among the most liberal in the world.

A central theme of the meeting was the situation of Ukrainians in Germany, whose numbers have surged from 200,000 to 1.2 million since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to the German people and authorities for their hospitality and outlined the key challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Germany. These challenges include an urgent need for professional psychological assistance in Ukrainian, a shortage of priests for pastoral care, the protection of families, access to kindergartens, and support for teenagers who feel guilty about those left behind in Ukraine. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the Ukrainian language, culture, and connection to the homeland during the integration process, as well as organizing long-term rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and defining their future prospects.