On February 24, in Kyiv, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with German Ambassador to Ukraine Ms. Anka Feldguzen. The meeting took place at the request of the Ambassador.
During the conversation, the parties discussed the current religious and social situation in Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Chairman of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, presented his views on socio-religious life in Ukraine and spoke about the recent meetings of the Council of Churches with the ambassadors of the G7 countries.
"The UGCC's pastoral focus now is on combating domestic violence. This will be the topic of the next Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine. We feel that this is an acute problem that threatens the institution of the family in Ukraine," the Primate of the UGCC stressed.
In addition, the Head of the Church discussed with Ms. Anka Feldguzen the steps of cooperation between the AUCCRO and Germany. In the context of the conversation, the visit to Berlin was recalled and its importance was noted, both for German politicians and for the Council of Churches.
The Ambassador inquired about the life and situation of the UGCC in Germany. In particular, she mentioned the appointment of a new apostolic exarch for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Germany and Scandinavia.
The parties also discussed issues of inter-church relations. His Beatitude Sviatoslav declared that he sees ecumenical openness to other Churches as an important component of the UGCC’s activity, and noted that all the Churches within the AUCCRO work together in the name of the common good.
The Head of the UGCC and the Ambassador of Germany also spoke about the future meeting of the AUCCRO with the ambassadors of the G7 countries, the central topic of which will be justice as a principle of judicial reform in Ukraine.