Archbishop James Weisgerber and Metropolitan Yuriy (Kalishchuk) were Honorary Guests of the Synod of Bishops 2012

His Excellency Archbishop James Weisgerber spoke first and stated that his predcessors came from Odesa in Ukraine and arrived in Canada almost a hundred years ago. He emphasized the great significance of the existence of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Canada. In particular, the Archbishop noted, “the Second Vatican Council very clearly declared that the essence of the Church is its communal communion. A communal communion means an exchange of gifts. Every community has to give something and to receive something. Every Christian, and especially every Church has a unique gift and the possibility of offering it as a gift. Often there is a sense that the Roman Catholic Church, given its great size, has nothing to learn from others. This is a serious error. Often it is those who are the smallest that can say the most significant things. An especially valuable gift offered by the Eastern Churches is the experience of synodality that, according to the guest speaker, “better exemplifies the teachings of the Second Vatican Council than many other churches.” At the end of his speech, the Archbishop assured those present of his prayers and wished the Synod success, “We pray that you will be strong.  You survived much trials and suffering and this makes us all stronger. May the Lord bless you! Know that you remain in our hearts and thoughts.”

Metropolitan Yuriy (Kalishchuk) addressed the Synod Fathers next and expressed his joy at the fact that the UGCC Synod of Bishops was being held in Canada and thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav both for the possibility to be present at the ceremonial Pontifical Liturgy, which took place at the beginning of the Synod in the Cathedral in Winnipeg, as well as at the initial working meeting of the Synod.  In his speech Bishop Yuriy rated highly the achievements of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church which after decades of persecution and prohibition “rose on its feet, renewed its institutions and gained great authority in Ukraine.”

As a positive experience of North America, Metropolitan Yuriy singled out the continued brotherly contacts between the Ukrainian Orthodox and the Greek-Catholic hierarchs of this continent. In his presentation Archbishop Yuriy stressed the issue of the union of the Ukrainian Churches through Volodymyr’s Baptism. He noted that “in every Ukrainian there is a wish to overcome the differences among us, to find that time when things were better – when there was unity,” and expressed the hope that in the coming years the dialogue between the Orthodox and the Greek-Catholic Church will develop, “in order that the Orthodox and the Greek-Catholics find that which they wish.”

“If we really are a part of the one Kyiv Church then we should seek paths towards to renewing that unity which once existed among us,” stated Bishop Yuriy. In his opinion, all the preconditions for it do exist- it is only the first time in some 300-400 years that the Ukrainian Churches have the ability to communicate with each other directly, without the interference of a third party. Whether these steps end up successful, according to Metropolitan Yuriy , depends on the wisdom of the leadership of both Churches: “May God bless you and us, and your Synod,” concluded His Excellency Metropolitan Yuriy (Kalishchuk).

A discussion among all present concerning various church issues, both in Canada and Ukraine, followed.

In conclusion, His Excellency Sviatoslav sincerely thanked the guests and stated his willingness to develop and deepen contacts between the Churches which will serve to praise God and to benefit the Ukrainian people.

Secretariat, UGCC Synod of Bishops