Meeting of priests who minister in Italy

For two days, April 28-29, 2009, on the territory of the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Rome there was a meeting of priests who minister in Italy. More than 120 church communities of the UGCC operate on the territory of the country. Considering the large amount of Greek-Catholics who work in Italy - and it is estimated that their amount, including those who do not have legal permission for residence, exceeds 700.000 - and with the purpose of giving them spiritual, moral, and often financial help, the UGCC actively works at the creation of new pastoral centers. The meeting of pastors was headed by Bishop Dionisio (Lyakhovych), Apostolic Visitator for Ukrainian Greek-Catholics in Italy, and the pastoral co-ordinator, Fr. Oleksandr Sapunko. In the program of the meeting were considered themes like «Priestly ministry in the conditions of migration in Italy,» and among the speakers were the rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Fr. Vasyl Chiril, PhD., S.J., and Monsignor Pergiorgio Saviola, director general of the organization Migrantes of the Italian Episcopal Conference.  On Wednesday morning for the occasion of the Year of Saint Paul the participants of the meeting made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where the Divine Liturgy was celebrated.

Radio Vatican