The Book That Calls for a Dialogue - His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented in Lviv his book Dialogue Heals Wounds

The Polish editor of the Catholic news agency Krzysztof Thomasics held the presentation of the book with the Primate of the UGCC.

The presentation was attended by clergy, artists, students, representatives of local and regional authorities, officials, a lot of ordinary people, as well as the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. Speaking about the Tomos, the President stated in his speech that the only Church plays an important role in the unification and state-building of Ukraine.

In the edition, the spiritual leader of the Greek Catholics talks about the peculiarities of Polish-Ukrainian relations. The book focuses on the average Pole who knows nothing about Ukraine, in particular Ukrainian history and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

"In the Polish audience, we saw that we did not answer all the questions that is why this dialogue needs to be continued. Therefore, this book not only contains the concept of dialogue in its title, it is not only constructed in the form of a dialogue, but it also calls for dialogue," said the Head of the UGCC.

Since the publication has become popular in Poland, the Head of the Church hopes that it will become interesting and equally useful to Ukrainians. Moreover, there's even the idea of the second volume of the "Dialogue ..."

In the opinion of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the title of this "little book" conveys the entire contents of the publication in three words. "We live in a world of monologues. We do not know how to interact. We do not know how to hear another person, even if she thinks differently than me," reflects the Head of the UGCC. "We must hear and listen to each other. Dialogue doesn't mean losing a certain party or when someone is losing ground," he explained.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav is convinced that, in order for Ukraine and Poland to be great powers, they should open the greatness and holiness of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. After all, his thoughts were important not only in a certain period, they were ahead of their time and remain relevant until now.

"We live in difficult times, but I am looking for answers in the writings of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. If we talk about the processes that are taking place in the lives of our Orthodox brethren, what is the position of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in these events? Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky said: "I am ready to renounce the leadership of my Church, let her be led by some of the Orthodox brethren, only that this Church should live in unity and communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter," said the Head of the Church.

And then he added: "We are a Church not only for Ukrainians. Our Church is an inalienable part of universal Christianity, it is a global Church and can bring this global dimension into Ukrainian discourse. She is able to seek dialogue with our Orthodox brethren and help our Church in Kyiv to rediscover our origin. We have to say so much to the whole world! "

It is worth noting that His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that, at the time of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, a presentation of the book "Tell me the truth" in Italian, prepared by Professor of Pastoral Theology of the Pontifical Lateran University, will be held in Rome.

At the end of the event, the rector of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Volodymyr Melnyk suggested that such meetings be held in a traditional way. In addition, he proposed to translate the book "Tell me the truth" to the Center for Italian Language and Culture of the Franko National University. Moreover, the Academic Council of the University decided to reward His Beatitude Sviatoslav with the highest university award - the medal of Ivan Franko for his outstanding contribution to the development of Ukrainian spirituality.

It should be added that the Primate thanked all those who helped "Dialogue ..." to see the world. Finally, he completed the meeting with simple, but apt words: "Till we  meet again!"

Department of Information of the UGCC