Patriarch Sviatoslav: UGCC Is Approaching Status of Patriarchate

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said at a press conference in Rivne that the UGCC is approaching the status of a patriarchate step by step as it develops its structures, UNIAN reported.

In answer to a question about the prospects of granting the UGCC the status of a patriarchate, the Primate noted that it does not depend on the person of the Roman Pope and that "it is the way of life of our church which is now 'reaching its maturity.'"

"I would say that our church is approaching the status of a patriarchate step by step as it develops its structures. It is only a matter of time before the Most Holy Father will announce the decision according to his position… Therefore, I think it is rather the work of our faithful, our clergy to build the patriarchate and we are doing it every day,” stated the UGCC head.