“I have long dreamed of seeing this land with my own eyes and to visit this Church about which I have read so much,” stated Monsignor Joan Galtes from Barcelona

During July 17-22, Monsignor Joan Galtes, representative of the Bishop’s Conference of Spain and the Bishop’s Vicar of the Diocese of Barcelona, visited Ukraine.  On the first day of his stay the Monsignor met with Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh), Administrator of the Papal Curia of UGCC. During the meeting Bishop Bohdan related to Monsignor Galtes the  history of the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church, especially the period of its persecution and its rebirth after the fall of the Soviet Union.  Particular attention was devoted to the renewed structures and pastoral services of UGCC in the central and eastern regions of Ukraine. The Spanish guest exhibited great familiarity with the history of the Ukrainian Church, since he had dedicated a substantial part of his life to scholarly work in the field of Church History.  “I have long dreamed of seeing this land with my own eyes and to visit this Church about which I have read extensively and also learned so much not only from books, but thanks to the large presence of your faithful in the territory of our diocese,” noted Monsignor Joan. He emphasized that the immigration became a largely positive experience for Spain, since it enriched the country not only economically but also culturally and spiritually.  “The testimonials of faith by your faithful always create unforgettable impressions,” stated the Spanish dignitary and shared his reminiscences about participating in the Easter Services with the Ukrainian community of Barcelona.  There young people, one after another, greeted him with the salutation  Khrystos Voskres! [Christ is Risen]  and with teary eyes recounted how Easter is celebrated in their homeland. “Your people are very appreciative. They never forget anyone’s kindness to them – even if it was only once,” added the representative of the Bishop’s Conference of Spain. The conversation also highlighted the necessity of quality preparation of priests for work with emigrants.  Both sides voiced the conviction that the presence of Eastern Rite Catholics amidst a Latin tradition is not only a challenge to the local Latin hierarchy and to the Church, to which these faithful belong, but also a great chance for Roman Catholics to  draw themselves nearer to the treasures of the spiritual legacy of the Christian East. The Secretary of UGCC Synod of Bishops sincerely thanked Monsignor Joan for the support which UGCC pastors and the faithful receive both from the Spanish bishops as well as from the Monsignor himself.  He invited the guest to participate next year in the All-Ukrainian Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia. As a token of gratitude, Bishop Bohdan presented Monsignor Joan with a wooden carved cross,  decorated with Ukraine’s national colors -- “a symbol of the resurrection of our Church and a sign of the deep piousness of Ukrainian people.”  Monsignor Galtes invited Bishop Bohdan to visit Barcelona, especially the Cathedral Sagrada de Famiglia [Holy Family]. This is a monumental work creation of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.  In early November 2010, His Holiness Benedict consecrated this cathedral. On July 18^th, Monsignor Joan Galtes visited the holy places of Kyiv (Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of  Christ, St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Michael’s Golden Domed Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra).  The guest spent July 19^th in Lviv.  

UGCC Department of Information