The 95th session of the Hierarchical Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Ukraine took place in Zarvanytsia on November 17-18 at the Mariyinsky Spiritual Center under the leadership of the Head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav.
This was reported by the Secretariat of the Hierarchical Synod of the UGCC in Ukraine.
All UGCC bishops operating in Ukraine, along with Father Yon Joseph Maxim, the hegumen of the Holy Dormition Univ Lavra, nominated as the archbishop and metropolitan of the Przemyśl Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia, participated in the synodal sessions.
This synodal session's primary theme was "Parish ministry of a priest in times of war," prepared for discussion by the Patriarchal Commission on Clergy Affairs of the UGCC under the leadership of Bishop Bohdan.
Several presentations were made during the session: Oksana Mikheieva, head of the sociology department at UCU, presented the results of comprehensive sociological research on the UGCC clergy during wartime; Maria Trakalo, co-founder of the Mental Health Hub "DіaTi," spoke on "Mental health and the Church," and priests who ministered in occupied territories also shared their experiences.
The Synod members carefully reviewed the information provided, expressed gratitude to the clergy for their sacrificial pastoral service in times of war, especially to those ministering in conflict zones, and made decisions aimed at enhancing parish ministry in war conditions.
During the session, after a three-year trial period, the Hierarchical Synod approved the Program of Pastoral Care for Vocations to the Consecrated Life in the UGCC, presented by Bishop Mykhailo, head of the Patriarchal Commission on Monasticism.
The Synod also considered and approved the text of the Appeal of the Hierarchical Synod of the UGCC in Ukraine on the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor-Genocide and blessed the work on the Message on the theological reflection of war issues and the search for peace in light of new ideologies, a project plan presented by Bishop Yaroslav, head of the Theological Department of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC.
The members discussed the pastoral situation in the UGCC in Ukraine, with reports from bishops of the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Odesa exarchates and the Kyiv Archeparchy.
Additionally, the Patriarchal Economist of the UGCC, Fr. Liubomyr, reported on the financial and economic status of the UGCC in Ukraine and presented financial and economic aspects of the organizational development of the Patriarchal Curia and its structures as a strategic path for the organization to become stronger and more professional.
Taras Dobko, the newly elected rector, explained the mission and activities of the Ukrainian Catholic University in modern wartime conditions, emphasizing its role in providing a contemporary Christian proposition, shaping leaders for Ukraine's reconstruction, and serving humanity.
The Synod appreciated the work and creativity of the UGCC Bureau for Ecology and blessed their future endeavors.
The next session of the Hierarchical Synod of the UGCC in Ukraine is planned for the first quarter of 2024.