Shevchuk: The UGCC’s task is to convince Ukrainians that the Pope is for us
The UGCC is thinking about how to convince Ukrainians that the Pope is for them. Photo: Vatican News
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Sviatoslav Shevchuk, stated in an interview with the Polish publication eKai that trust in the Pope has been undermined in Ukraine, while the task of his church is to restore it.
According to him, Pope Francis assured UGCC bishops that he stands with Ukraine. Shevchuk emphasized that their task now is to persuade Ukrainian citizens of this message and convey it effectively.
Responding to the statement by the spokesperson of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, that the Pope is "pro-Russian", Shevchuk referred to the opinion of Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash, who considers Podolyak's position to be "his personal opinion" and not the position of the Ukrainian government.
Shevchuk is convinced that through the Pope, Ukraine may garnish global support from the international community, which is crucial for the country's survival.
While assuring journalists of the unconditional unity with the pope, Shevchuk stated that Catholicism in Ukraine is a "survival force" for their nation.
At the same time, the head of the UGCC acknowledged that the "public image of the Pope in Ukraine is shattered" and that this is a real problem for the Catholic Church in Ukraine.
Previously, it was reported that the Office of the President of Ukraine excluded the Vatican from mediating with Russia due to the pontiff's pro-Russian position.
Read also
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.
UOC priests take part in celebrations at Romania’s Putna Monastery
Clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy took part in a festive service at the ancient shrine of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
TRC officers abduct priest of UOC's Zymne Monastery
The UOC cleric was reportedly taken by force to Lutsk.