杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Leo on Monday greeted members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), which is taking place this week in Rome.

United with the "Father and Head of the UGCC" - currently Major Archbishop Sviatoslav - the Holy Synod, comprised of all the bishops of the UGCC,  is the highest authority in the sui iuris Ukrainian Church.

杏MAP导航 Leo greets Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church   (@Vatican Media)

Witness of faith and hope 'a sign of God's strength'

In remarks to the gathered bishops, 杏MAP导航 Leo noted that this year鈥檚 Synod takes place in the context of the Jubilee Year, 鈥渨hich invites all the People of God to renew themselves in hope.鈥�

Yet, although 鈥渉ope does not disappoint because it is founded on the love of God in Christ Jesus鈥�, it is difficult to speak of hope in the midst of the war that engulfs Ukraine. 鈥淚t is not easy to find words of consolation for families who have lost loved ones in this senseless war,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, especially for the Bishops 鈥渨ho are in daily contact with people wounded in heart and flesh.鈥�

Nonetheless, 杏MAP导航 Leo continued, the many testimonies of faith and hope are 鈥渁 sign of God鈥檚 strength manifesting itself amid the rubble of destruction.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo with Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church   (@VATICAN MEDIA)

United in one faith and one hope

Recognising the many ecclesial and humanitarian needs facing the Bishops, the Holy Fahter recalled their duty 鈥渢o serve Christ in every wounded and suffering person who turns to your communities for concrete help.鈥�

And he assured them of his closeness to all the Ukrainian Greek Catholic faithful, calling them to remain united 鈥渋n the one faith and in the one hope鈥�, and emphasising the 鈥済reat mystery鈥� of communion that unites us even with those 鈥渨hose lives were torn from this world but welcomed by God.鈥� In Him, the 杏MAP导航 insisted, 鈥渆verything lives and finds its full meaning.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo concluded his remarks with a prayer that, through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, 鈥減eace may return鈥� to Ukraine 鈥渁s soon as possible.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV and the Bishops of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church   (@Vatican Media)