"Ukraine needs the support of the democratic world," - UGCC Delegate at the General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference

The UGCC delegate spoke to the General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference participants during a working session on Wednesday, May 22. On behalf of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, he thanked them for the invitation and "constant support of Ukraine, particularly for the cooperation with the UGCC and assistance in the pastoral and humanitarian projects of the UGCC."

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, Bishop Mykhailo pointed to the ideology of the "Russian World" as the source of the genocidal war against the Ukrainian people, its Church, language, and culture. "Allow me to give you a specific example of the consequences of this ideology in my exarchate. The first thing the Russians do in the occupied territories is to ban any national symbols of Ukraine, our language, the Church, and even charitable organizations, such as Caritas Ukraine and the Knights of Columbus. I am not mentioning public organisations promoting the Ukrainian language and culture," said Bishop Mykhailo. He also spoke about the closure of Greek Catholic churches in the occupied territories and the persecution of priests.

In the conditions of war, every parish and pastoral center of the UGCC has turned into a humanitarian center to help people. "Thanks to your support and international Catholic solidarity, we have been able to help people with the most essential needs for survival," Bishop Mykhailo told the Italian bishops, thanking them for accepting Ukrainian refugees.

Bishop Mykhailo also pointed to a certain fatigue from the war in Ukraine, which is now felt in the international European community, and the ideas of pacifism, through which "Russian propaganda seeks to weaken support for Ukraine." "Today, we must be aware that it is not only about Ukraine but about the threat to international law and global security. Therefore, Ukraine needs the support of the democratic world," the bishop emphasized.

"I ask you to continue to stand with us, speak the truth about Ukraine, and defend those who today are mercilessly denied the right to exist," concluded the Exarch of Odesa.

Pope Francis was present at the General Assembly of the Italian episcopate. On the first day of the meeting, a prayer for peace took place in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The main theme of this year's assembly is "The Synodal Path: Towards the 'Prophetic' Stage."

The Apostolic Exarchate of the UGCC in Italy is represented in the Italian Episcopal Conference by Bishop Dionisiy Lyakhovych.