Metropolitan Stephan, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Archbishop of New York, sent the following letter to RISU, expressing his support of the Pope's Visit to Ukraine in late June. Various Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Bishops in the West co-signed the statement. It is reproduced here in its entirety.
Sunday 10 June 2001 TO: R.I.S.U. and the Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine From: The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the United States of America Metropolitan Stephan, Primate By God's Grace, Archbishop of New York We the bishops, of the U.A.O.C. in the U.S.A. fully support the visit of His Holiness John Paul II, the Pope of Rome, to our Motherland, Ukraine. Let this visit bring to all Ukrainians a sign of unity and better understanding of each other. As bishops of our Ukrainian Church in the Diaspora, we pray that your Patriarch, His Holiness Lubomyr, will continue to strive for unity among us all.His address to the consistory of cardinals were true and most inspiring words. May our Orthodox faithful both in the Diaspora and in our Motherland, Ukraine support him, for we all have one common goal and that is to maintain a free and united Ukraine. This is first and most important. In the Diaspora, we have always been welcomed by the Greek Catholic Church, and they have always been kind to us and have supported us and the Ukrainian cause when many of the other Orthodox Churches have not. This is a sign of being true Christians, to all people. The right of Pope John Paul II to visit his flock is without question, the right of a Primate, as indicated in the rite of consecration ("to tend the flock that is entrusted to you . . . ").
Let no other bishop deny him his right, for if this is done, we then have lost all. We as Ukrainians must support each other and put a stop to outside hierarchy with the power to control our Motherland, since we now are a free country and have a choice. Let what in the past had been taken from us never again be taken - our pride as Ukrainians. May the Holy Spirit fill each of our hearts with only love and understanding and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bring upon our Motherland, Ukraine, peace, love and unity for all. Glory To Ukraine! Glory! Metropolitan Stephan Primate Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the United States of America - Sobornopravna Archbishop Michael (Coadjutor to the Metropolitan) Bishop Danylo (Bishop of Maramaros) Metropolitan Alexis (Primate-Emeritus) Archbishop Mykola (Bishop of Berlin and Germany) Bishop Kallistos (Bishop of France, Spain and Italy)