The Head of the UGCC and the head of the Ukrainian Youth Association signed a memorandum of cooperation

On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, in Lviv, Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav and Chairman of the World Council of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM), Andriy Bihun, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and CYM.

The purpose of the Memorandum is to deepen the long-standing tradition of cooperation between the Church and the Association, their fruitful interaction in the field of spiritual education and development of children and youth, the UGCC Department for Information report.

The Primate thanked the members of CYM for their many years of cooperation. He believes CYM is one of the most active youth organizations that has always reflected Christian principles and values ​​in its work. The bishop noted that since the founding of CYM, it was the Greek Catholic priests who were the spiritual leaders of this organization.

Therefore, His Beatitude Sviatoslav outlined three directions for CYM. "First, I want to thank you for returning to our cradle - to Kyiv, to Central and Eastern Ukraine," said the spiritual leader of the Greek Catholics. - "Now the future of Ukraine and our Church is being formed there. The strategic vector to the east is a vector of a return to our roots and a new awareness of our identity in the context of the difficult war that Ukraine is waging for its future."

"The next vector is our new settlements, which are now generously planted in different countries. Now the phenomenon of emigration is one of the most painful for the state and public life of Ukraine," emphasized the Head of the UGCC.

In this regard the Primate mentioned the Patriarchal Council of the UGCC - "Emigration, Settlements and Global Unity of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church," to be held on August 26-29, 2020 in Lviv. The slogan of the Council is "The Church is always and everywhere with you."

"The third vector is our already established and structured, 'senior' settlements, in particular in the USA, Argentina, Canada ... CYM is an active and successful organization that works very well. However, our 'older' settlements also need active labor.  An exchange of thoughts, ideas between the 'old' and 'new' settlements, the Diaspora and Ukraine, is the key to our success in the future. And in all these three directions, rest assured that we will intersect. However, we must also look for new tools and mechanisms," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

It is worth noting that the Head of the UGCC issued a decree naming Bishop Stepan Sus, Curial Bishop of the Kyiv-Halych Supreme Archbishop of the UGCC, as Chief Chaplain of the Ukrainian Youth Association. This decision was made at the request of the CYM World Council.

“We know the present Bishop Stepan from his years of study at the Theological Seminary, when he participated, as a catechist, in our CYM camps in Ukraine. Today, we are pleased to welcome Bishop Stepan in a new status - as our chaplain and spiritual guardian, ”said Andriy Bihun, Chairman of the Council of the CYM.

We would to add that the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) is a non-governmental organization that unites Ukrainian youth on a voluntary basis and educates conscious, honest and hardworking citizens, loyal Ukrainian statesmen, who develop a world-view based on the long-standing national and Christian traditions and ideals.