The 49th Session of the Synod of Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishopric of the UGCC

The 49th session of the Synod of the Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishopric of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) took place in Lviv-Bryukhovychi, on March, 24-25, 2010.

KYIV-LVIV – The 49^th session of the Synod of the Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishopric of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) took place in Lviv-Bryukhovychi, on March, 24-25, 2010, reports the Information Department of the UGCC. At the synod were present all Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops that work on the territory of Ukraine, except for Bishop Vasyl (Medvit) who is on an official visit in Canada.

At the beginning of the meeting Patriarch Lubomyr on behalf of all members of the synod congratulated Bishop Milan (Shashik) on his appointment as the eparch of Mukachevo. Then, after introductory formalities, the status of the implementation of the decisions of the past session of the Metropolitan Synod was summarized. Next, Patriarch Lubomyr informed the members of the synod about the participation of the Church as a patron in a in the Petro Jacyk Ukrainian language competition, about holding an All-Ukrainian pro-life congress, about the synod’s recommendation to encourage the clergy of the Church to participate in the non-governmental pension fund Pokrova, and about a message on the importance of raising the level of economic literacy of the nation, which will be prepared in the nearest future.

Among the main topics of discussion at this session of Synod of Major Archbishop were the development of the information activity of the church in Ukraine, pastoral service in the penitentiary system of Ukraine, “late” vocations, restitution of church property, and the project to create a “Folk School” for adults. The synod discussed the current social and political situation in the state and worked out the text of a testimonial letter to former president Viktor Yushchenko and the synod’s appeal to the new President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. 

A considerable part of the synod’s meeting was spent discussing questions regarding priesthood; in particular, about the necessity to create a commission for priests, about holding a competition in the parishes and the necessity of a permanent structure for clergy, and about the idea of creating of class society of priests.

In addition to these questions, requests and suggestions were given on how to improve the condition of catechistical services in Ukraine and a report was read on the activity of the Patriarch Pilgrimage Center of the UGCC.

Among the series of organizational questions the synod decided to move the 2010 celebration of the Baptism of Rus’-Ukraine to Sunday, July 25, and to conduct the 50^th session of the Synod of Bishops of Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishop of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in May 2010 in Kyiv.