Service of the Patriarch is the best guideline
I remember the meeting with His Beatitude last summer. Several other experts and I then on his invitation discussed ways of overcoming the system crises in the Ukrainian education.
As always, a professional discussion about the financing system, administrative models, normative basis, etc. began. His beatitude listened to our meditations for several hours, asked questions, clarified certain moments but did not interfere in the discussion much. He really demonstrated the Biblical truth: "Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." (Proverbs 10:19).
During the whole meeting, Patriarch Lubomyr talked not longer than for twenty minutes but at that time the experts listened to him with an incredible attention and respect. The comments of His Beatitude showed that he is well acquainted with the education issues and the depth of his thoughts showed the presence of a very rare trait, to see the real gist of a problem. He has a unique ability: to be able to explain in a five-minute talk what a problem is and to outline the main solutions.
Patriarch Lubomyr is a modern and observant man. In addition to education he has a good understanding of many secular problems. He knows well the concerns of young people, businessmen and other strata of the population. He has a much sharper sense of time than most of the younger Church ministers.
Unlike many priests, he speaks to lay people their language without quoting the Holy Scripture all the time and imposing his opinion. He presents his arguments with love and a sincere respect for your opinion. For me as a politician, the patriarch is a moral authority. His service, numerous interviews (probably, none of the Ukrainian heads of the Christian Churches enjoyed such attention of the media), books, speeches show that he is a man of vision which covers at least two next generations.
Everything that was done with the blessing of His Beatitude contained fundamental improvements. His actions showed his aspiration for fundamental, structural changes, true transformation of the Church and society. The results of educational, ecumenical, social and charitable projects of the Greek Catholic Church give no grounds for doubts as to the efficiency of Patriarch Lubomyr (Husar) as the head of the Church. As for me, he is the best role model for the leaders of any sphere of the Ukrainian society, especially, politicians and statesmen.
The Ukrainian nation is in a painful search of role models. Unfortunately, this search is carried out outside our country or outside our time. The figure and service of Patriarch Lubomyr is exactly the history of success and effectiveness which is so lacked by my generation.
Lesia OROBETS,
people's deputy of Ukraine, public figure
