UGCC bishops discuss issues of pastoral care of Ukrainian servicemen

12.05.2022, 16:30
Catholics
UGCC bishops discuss issues of pastoral care of Ukrainian servicemen - фото 1
"Pastoral care of Ukrainian servicemen" was the theme of the ninety-first session of the Synod of bishops of the Supreme Archdiocese of the UGCC. The synod was held on May 10-11 at the pastoral Rehabilitation Center "Oranta" of the Diocese of Sambir-Drohobych of the UGCC in Truskavets. It was headed by Patriarch Svyatoslav.

According to the UGCC Information Department, Bishop Nil Lushchak, administrator of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo, also took part in the Synod's work.

The Synod expressed its gratitude to the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, chaplains, volunteers and all those who serve and support our army in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The Synod considered in the second reading and approved in one piece the "program of social and public activities of the UGCC in Ukraine", as well as in the first reading the strategy of the UGCC's activities for affirming family values, supporting families and preventing and countering domestic violence. Both documents were submitted by Yuriy Pidlisny, chairman of the UGCC Commission on Family and Lay Affairs.

Members of the Synod discussed the current socio-political situation in Ukraine and the world and the activities of the church under martial law. The discussion was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas.

The mission and activities of the Ukrainian Catholic University in modern war conditions were highlighted in the report by Fr. Bogdan Prakh, rector of UCU. Oleg Turiy, director of the Institute of Church History of the Ukrainian Catholic University, reported on the state of processing the anthology of the historical experience of the public ministry of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Patriarchal economos of the UGCC Fr Lubomyr Yavorsky reported to the Synod on the state of affairs of the UGCC in Ukraine in the financial and economic sphere and presented the bishops with a report on the activities of the church-funded Open Non-State Pension Fund "Pokrova", which is functioning successfully despite the challenges of wartime.

The bishops met with refugees from different parts of Ukraine and their children temporarily residing in the same Pastoral Rehabilitation Center.

It was decided to hold the ninety-second session of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine in the fourth quarter of 2022.