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
Iranian authorities accuse protesters of setting fire to 350 mosques
According to the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry, the arson attacks on mosques indicate the organized and externally supported nature of the riots.
Romanian Patriarchate opposes prostitution legalization in country
The Church noted that Holy Scripture and Orthodox Tradition consistently testify to the incompatibility of prostitution with spiritual life.
Poroshenko calls to cancel elections and focus on "language and faith"
The former president stated that an election campaign is unacceptable until the end of the war and proposed focusing the state's efforts on ideological priorities.
SBU confirms use of UOC hierarchs as "prisoner exchange fund"
The Security Service stated that UOC clergy were involved in exchanges when returning citizens from Russian captivity.
Report: 2,000 Christians killed and 3,000 attacked worldwide over two years
The report mentions the situation of Christians in Ukraine: it records the destruction of churches and threats to religious freedom.
U.S. Congresswoman appeals to Vatican over UOC persecution
The legislator linked appeals to the Vatican with complaints about UOC persecution and stated that US taxpayers' money should not be directed to a government that persecutes Christians.