On October 13, as part of his pastoral visit to Sweden, the Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, visited the Archbishop of the Diocese of Stockholm, Cardinal Anders Arborelius.
This was reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.
The meeting was also attended by the Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh and Vicar General of the Diocese of Stockholm, Fr. Pascal-René Lung.
The meeting became a great opportunity for the Ukrainian hierarchs to express their gratitude to the representatives of the Catholic Church in Sweden for their comprehensive support of the Ukrainian pastoral ministries and to discuss the further development of Ukrainian communities in the country.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked Cardinal Arborelius for his visit to Ukraine, as it was a sign of solidarity and support. The hierarchs then discussed the challenges associated with the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as the issue of spiritual care for Ukrainians in Sweden. The Ukrainian hierarchs drew attention to the need for new pastors and emphasized that refugees are active missionaries who share their faith, culture and spirituality, testifying to the unity of the Catholic Church in diversity.
Cardinal Arborelius promised his continued support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Sweden. The Archbishop of Stockholm shared his positive impressions of visiting the Ukrainian community and praised the ministry of the pastor of the UGCC in Stockholm, Fr. Andrii Melnychuk and cooperation with Apostolic Exarch Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh.
Special attention was paid to efforts to stop Russian aggression and the role of churches and religious organizations in overcoming the consequences of the war.