A Charity Luncheon Held in Melbourne to Support the Initiatives of the Patriarchal Foundation “Wise Cause”
On December 7, a charity luncheon was held in Melbourne, Australia, in support of the humanitarian initiatives of the Patriarchal Foundation “Wise Cause,” which help save lives and support victims of Russian aggression. In his address to those present, the Father and Head of the UGCC emphasized that Christian faith and solidarity are the source of Ukrainian resilience, which today saves people and gives hope in the most difficult moments.
The event was attended by bishops of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, headed by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, Father Lubomyr Yavorsky, Patriarchal Economist, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps and the Ukrainian community in Australia. A total of 300 Ukrainians from across the country purchased tickets for the fundraising banquet.
In his speech, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the Ukrainian community in Australia for their unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine and spoke about the mission of the Church in wartime. He recalled the first days of the full-scale invasion, when the Patriarchal Cathedral in Kyiv became a bomb shelter and a “Noah’s Ark” for hundreds of people seeking refuge.
The Head of the UGCC described how the Church responded to the challenge of war: “Perhaps the most significant mission of the Church now is to save human lives. In no time, all our parishes, all our cathedrals, all our monasteries turned into humanitarian hubs.”
To the question of how Ukraine can resist aggression, the Primate gave a definite answer: “We believe in the Resurrection. Indeed, we believe in God. Those authentic Christian values are fundamental to Ukraine’s ability to persevere and fight.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized the power of solidarity: “Solidarity and mutual aid save lives. And that is why the Church, our congregation, and our eparchies continue to be the heart of nationwide, church-wide solidarity today.”
Furthermore, the Head of the UGCC spoke about the creation of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava” (Wise Cause), which pursues the legacy of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, whose 160th birth anniversary is being marked this year. Its activities are based on four core values of the Church’s social teaching: the common good, human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity.
During the war, the foundation focused primarily on saving human lives. The Primate recalled a meeting with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko during the most difficult days of the siege of the capital: “We asked how we could help: with bread, medicine, clothing? And he replied: ‘From the Church, more than bread, we need words of hope.’” That is why the presence of bishops, priests, and volunteers in hot spots became a source of hope for many.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav sincerely thanked Ukrainians in Australia for their support: “You help us to be God’s help for those who cry out to Him day and night for salvation. Thank you for your solidarity, which saves lives in Ukraine. Thank you for your trust—sometimes trust is more important than money.”
During the banquet, a fundraising auction was also held, where among the lots available for purchase were a Ukrainian flag signed by General Kyrylo Budanov, a rosary belonging to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, and an icon of Christ Not Made by Hands belonging to Cardinal Mykola Bychok, among other items.
Patriarchal Economist Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky emphasized that this charity banquet was not only about raising funds or presenting the activities of “Mudra Sprava” during the war, but above all to unite Ukrainians from around the world. “It is important that the impetus for this unification is a common idea, and that idea is solidarity—to help, to persevere, to pray for one another, to support one another. We are united on the Australian continent because we are united by our mother Church,” emphasized Fr. Lubomyr.
The UGCC Department for Information
