UGCC representatives participate in European Congress of those responsible for Vocational Pastoral Care
This year's meeting focused on the theme “Building Links at the Service of Youth and Vocational Pastoral Work,” providing a significant opportunity for dialogue, exchange of experiences, and collaborative exploration of new ways to serve youth in today's world, as reported by the UGCC Department for Information.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was represented at this forum by Ms. Nataliia Tsiupka, secretary of the Patriarchal Commission for Clergy, and Fr. Ihor Stus, who is responsible for fostering vocations in the Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainians in Italy. Their participation highlighted the active engagement of the UGCC in the pan-European effort to cultivate a culture of vocations.
One of the main speakers at the meeting was Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi, Secretary General of the Italian Bishops' Conference, who spoke on the topic “The New Generations: A Frontier of Peace.” Professor Patrizia Giunti, President of the Giorgio La Pira Foundation, presented initiatives from the Mediterranean Youth Council, which includes participation from young leaders.
Participants were also introduced to the Manifesto of the Youth of Europe, titled “A Revolution of the Young Spirit” (#J2R2033).
The day concluded with a visit to the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome, where delegates had the opportunity to pray before Caravaggio's renowned icon of the Madonna of the Pilgrims and participate in Vespers and the Divine Liturgy, led by Archbishop José Manuel Garcia Cordeiro, who oversees the Section for Vocations of the CCEE Commission.
