“For twenty years we have rejoiced in religious freedom, yet each time we have to defend it…”, UGCC Head

During the conversation His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that this year UGCC in Canada marked the centennial of the arrival of Blessed Bishop Martyr Mykyta (Budka), the first Ukrainian UGCC bishop in Canada.  The Primate also noted that this year he made three visits to Canada: in April, together with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRU), during which His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to the Canadian Parliament for passing the resolution concerning the heroic virtues of Metropolitan Andrey (Sheptytsky);  in May, a pastoral visit to UGCC Edmonton Eparchy; in September, to attend the UGCC Synod of Bishops held in Winnipeg, at which the Canadian Ambassador appeared to express gratitude for UGCC activities in Canada and also mentioned that he himself is of Ukrainian background.

Ambassador Troy Lulashnyk inquired about the role of UGCC and other Churches in the development of Ukrainian society.  In his answer His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that UGCC is part of the civil society and works towards ensuring that Ukrainian society develops.  UGCC Head also highlighted the importance of AUCCRU activities since “the religious factor plays a significant role in Ukrainian society.”

In discussing state-church relations, UGCC Head commented that “for twenty years we have rejoiced in religious freedom, yet each time we have to defend it.”  “For us it is important to be independent and to be ourselves, that is, to fulfill that mission which the Church should fulfill.”  He expressed his concern regarding the law proposal 10221 that was approved in its second reading by Parliament without any comments or modifications which had been submitted by AUCCRU throughout the year.  “All AUCCRU members are upset by this development.   This translates into heightened state control of religious organizations, limitations of religious freedom and complications in the registration procedure for religious organizations,” stated UGCC Head.

In talking about the post-elections political situation, UGCC Head expressed his gratitude for the large number of Canadian observers.  “The concern of the Churches that were beyond the political clashes generated attempts of various deputy candidates to use Churches and religious organizations for political gains.  We encountered mass bribery, including priests. Previously    we were not aware of the usage of such methods. Our Church emerged wounded from this process and needs healing because when the Church is utilized for political goals, then the trust in the truth-worthiness of Church statements is undermined and the notion of the Church is distorted,” said he.

Counsellor Gregory Lemermeyer asked about the Church’s perception of its role in the healing of Ukrainian society.  His Beatitude Sviatoslav answered that UGCC accentuates its attention towards servicing society and chaplaincy (students, prisoners, armed forces, hospitals).  In particular, UGCC Head UGCC Head emphasized the presence of UGCC in the educational arena, mentioning Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), whose main mission is to educate laity.

In responding to the question of the Ambassador about pastoral care for the faithful in Russia, UGCC Head stated that there are 16 UGCC priests on Russian territory, mostly serving in Siberia.  “We are developing pastoral care of our faithful, taking into consideration the realities of both the Catholic Church as well as the Russian society, stated UGCC Head His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) at the end of the meeting.

UGCC Department of Information