The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church opened 225 communities in Western European countries

Thanks to the coordinated cooperation between the faithful, hierarchs and priests in Western Europe, where the UGCC has no church entities, 255 religious communities have been successfully opened, 173 of which are under the care of priests. Head of PMD Bishop Joseph (Milian) was reported as saying this in a speech the meeting of bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe, which continues in the Portuguese town of Fatima.

“The phenomenon of migration to modern Europe has become a major challenge, in which some see a threat, while others see a chance. Looking at this phenomenon in the light of faith, one can see the hand of Divine Providence, which wisely leads humanity. The light of faith tells us to see each the person sent us by the Lord, firstly as a child of God, who is created in His image and likeness. I am sure that only such theological approach can help us find answers to questions about where and in which direction we should move in the pastoral care of the eastern Catholic migrants in Europe,” Bishop Joseph said.

The bishop stressed that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church continues to work and continue to work hard to pastoral care had all the faithful in their countries of residence. In order to properly coordinate the pastoral care, he said, in 2007, the Pastoral Migration Department was officially founded, "that I head within the mission I was entrusted by the head of the UGCC.”

The activities of the department, according to the head of PMD, were aimed primarily at establishing pastoral care in countries where the UGCC has its own church entities. “Thanks to the coordinated cooperation between the faithful, hierarchs and priests in Western Europe, where the UGCC has no church entities, 255 religious communities have been successfully opened, 173 of which are under the care of priests. It is just superficial statistics, but the number of communities tends to grow,” Bishop Joseph said.

The bishop noted that Ukrainian migrants engender a new Ukrainian diaspora in Europe, being more and more aware of the need for the development of their church identity through active participation in the sacraments of their Church.

“I think the time, Kairos, has come when we have a chance in Europe to apprehend the beauty of the Catholic Church in full, in its various rites and liturgical traditions. We are required only to create conditions to ensure that they are properly developed and serve spiritual and cultural heritage of the people, where they found their protection,” head of PMD said. It was reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.