“Do Not Be Afraid to Dream About the Future of the Church,” Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Speaks to Consecrated Persons in Brazil
On February 16, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, together with members of the Permanent Synod and Metropolitan Volodymyr Kovbych of Curitiba, met with the superiors of institutes of consecrated life at the House of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Brazil. During the meeting, they discussed the ministry of the clergy, challenges, and the future of vocations in the Church.
Sister Rosangela de Melo Campanharo, SSMI, provincial superior of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate of the Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Brazil, addressed the bishops with a welcoming speech. She emphasized that the house of the congregation, which has the joy of welcoming His Beatitude Sviatoslav, is named after Sister Anatolia, one of the first seven sisters who arrived in Brazil from Ukraine in 1911.
“The figure of the Servant of God, Sister Anatolia, whose beatification process continues, is a source of inspiration and a living memory for our congregation and the entire Ukrainian community. On this day, February 16, we prayerfully commemorate the 70th anniversary of her departure into eternity. May she intercede for all of us gathered here,” said Sister Rosangela de Melo Campanharo, SSMI.
Greeting those present, His Beatitude Sviatoslav explained that the purpose of this meeting was to listen to one another, without which responsible decisions are impossible: “We came here to serve and to dream together about the future of our Church in Brazil. It was important to have moments of genuine listening—to listen to each other so that we could understand and then move forward. Otherwise, all the decisions of the Synods would be merely abstract and of no value to anyone.”
The Head of the UGCC thanked the consecrated persons for their witness and service in Brazil, describing as a history marked by heroic asceticism.
“Being a consecrated person today means going against the tide. In a world where money decides everything, someone takes a vow of poverty. Where everyone decides for themselves what is true, someone takes a vow of obedience. In a world of moral depravity, someone takes a vow of chastity. It is a challenge. However, living this way is a true feat of Christian life, which is of great importance for our Church,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav said.
He also reflected on the broader context of the Church’s life today, emphasizing the paradoxical moment of its development: “Today, our Church is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. We have never had such a large presence in Ukraine before. In recent years, especially since the beginning of the full-scale war, our Church has grown by nearly 50 percent. Millions of Ukrainians are becoming Greek Catholics by their own choice. But these people need pastoral care. They need those who will teach them what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be a Greek Catholic.”
At the same time, according to the Primate, the number of vocations is decreasing, and this requires deeper discernment: “We see that the harvest is growing, but the workers are decreasing. The question is not whether God is calling. It seems that He is calling. But young people are responding differently. Therefore, we need to think together about what to do so that we can accept, discern, accompany, and empower those whom the Lord is calling to the priesthood and consecrated life to thrive in their vocation.”
Citing examples from Ukraine, His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the ministry of sisters in frontline regions, particularly in Zaporizhia, where, despite the proximity to the front line, vibrant youth communities are emerging and the number of vocations is increasing. He also emphasized that it is precisely because priests and nuns followed their people to Brazil that Ukrainian identity has been preserved here even in the ninth and tenth generations.
The Head of the Church called on monks and nuns to have a bold and honest conversation about the future of the congregations, with a view to the next 10–20 years: “Let us together tell the truth about what we need to do so that nothing of our predecessors’ achievements is lost. Because sometimes habits and old patterns of organizing community life become like a suitcase without a handle: it is there, it is a pity to leave it behind, but it is difficult to carry on. We must be bold and creative under the influence of the Holy Spirit — not afraid to dream, while honestly facing reality and listening to one another.”
During the meeting, the sisters shared their experiences of ministry, catechesis of children, and challenges related to vocations. They also outlined the first steps of strategic planning for the development of their communities in the coming years. Summing up the conversation, His Beatitude Sviatoslav cited examples of initiatives that are already bearing fruit in Ukraine and confirmed that the theme of pastoral care for vocations will be central to this year’s major Synod of Bishops of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
