Bishops of the UGCC and RCC in Ukraine conduct joint meeting

On May 26-27, 2009, in Lviv-Bryukhovychi a joint meeting of the members of the Synod of Bishops of the Kyiv and Halych Major Archbishopric of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and Conference of Bishops of the Roman-Catholic Church in Ukraine took place. The Catholic bishops of Ukraine who carry on their ministry on its territory take part in the conferences. The purpose of the meeting is twofold: to support and develop friendly relations between bishops and to discuss certain affairs which are general for all. This time the bishops of both rites will discuss and share experience in relation to family ministry. The last meeting took place on November 28, 2008. «On the territory of Ukraine we have two ‘sui juris’ Churches which belong to the Universal Catholic Church: the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine. The difference between us is that we are the sui juris Church on the territory, and the metropolitanate of the Roman-Catholic Church in Ukraine is one of hundreds of metropolitanates of the very numerous Latin Church, which is spread all over the world. In addition, in accord with Eastern tradition, we are a synodal Church, and the RCC in Ukraine, as well as other parts of the Roman Catholic Church, has a conference of bishops.» So the Head of the UGCC explained for the Department of Information. Talking about the general meeting of the bishops of the UGCC and RCC in Ukraine, His Beatitude Lubomyr noted, that, although the Roman Catholic Church is of the Latin and the UGCC of the Byzantine tradition, we can concelebrate together because we all are members of the Catholic Church. «At the same time it is unfortunate that we have the same rite and structure as our Orthodox brothers but cannot concelebrate Divine Liturgy together. This shows that the unity of the Church does not depend on a joint tradition but on the community of faith and communion. It particularly testifies to what Catholicism is. Catholicism is not confessional, but an ecclesiological, theological concept in relation to faith,» the Head of the UGCC said.

Information Department of the UGCC