Unity with the Orthodox will not undermine UGCC integrity, Shevchuk says

Shevchuk and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: UGCC

The head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk in his Easter sermon responded to the concerns of those who believe that rapprochement with the Orthodox could undermine the internal unity of the Uniate church.

"Someone might say: won't this disrupt and destabilize the internal life of the UGCC?" Shevchuk voiced possible questions, and then replied: “No.”

As justification, the head of the UGCC cited a principle that is usually attributed to Saint Augustine, but which, according to Shevchuk, was actually formulated by a Protestant theologian of the 16th century: "In essentials – unity, in non-essentials – freedom, and in all things – love."

"We want to be united in our faith, in our communion, in the joy of Christ, united in the sacraments of Christ's Church. And let everything else give us freedom," declared the UGCC head.

According to him, efforts to achieve unity between Catholics and the Orthodox should be carried out at two levels: local and global.

"We want today to do everything so that this unity is built. Today this unity has two levels: local and universal. Unity is not some kind of idea or aspiration; it is a property of the community of Christ’s Church. We want to be united at least at the local level,” emphasized Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

He believes that Ukraine can become a platform where such unity can become achievable. And it should begin with Easter: "We want to be a voice from Kyiv to all Christians: let us seek a common opportunity to celebrate Easter. Let East and West no longer be divided on this holy day of unity."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to Shevchuk, the Orthodox and Catholics should celebrate Easter together.

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