Representatives of the Melbourne Eparchy Meet with Diplomats from Latin America in Canberra
During his visit to Canberra earlier this week, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok met with representatives of the diplomatic corps of Latin American countries in Australia. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere and provided an opportunity for closer acquaintance and conversation.
The initiator and organiser of the gathering was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Colombia to Australia, Mr Diego Felipe Cadena Montenegro, who invited to the meeting as well Ms Dianela Pi, Ambassador of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; Mr Vitaliano Gallardo, Ambassador of Peru; Mr Ernesto Céspedes Oropeza, Ambassador of Mexico; Ms Carolina Molina Barrantes, Ambassador of Costa Rica; and Mr Luis Ernesto Molina Cardona, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Guatemala.
His Eminence was accompanied at the meeting by Deacon Michael Zylan, Chancellor of the Melbourne Eparchy, and Fr. Vasyl Motrichenko, Administrator of St Volodymyr’s Parish in Canberra.
Throughout the meeting, participants had the opportunity to exchange reflections on the spiritual and cultural traditions of their peoples: they shared the distinctive ways of preparing for Christmas and customs of celebration in the countries of Latin America and discussed pastoral service and the challenges faced by communities in the diaspora.
Bishop Mykola described the situation in Ukraine to those present, reminding them that although full-scale war has been ongoing since 2022, the war began much earlier in 2014 when russia occupied the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. He asked representatives of the diplomatic corps to support Ukraine’s interests in Latin American countries and emphasised the importance of such meetings, which promote better understanding between nations and strengthen partnerships.
catholicukes.au
