The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC of 2023 has concluded

September 13, 2023, 19:19 347

The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has concluded in Rome, Italy. It lasted from September 3–13 at the Ukrainian Pontifical College of St. Josaphat. The key theme of the Synod was: “Pastoral Support for Victims of War”. At the same time, it was the largest Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, as 45 bishops and the nominated bishop of the New Westminster Diocese took part in it.

The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC of 2023 has concluded

In the morning, after the Divine Liturgy, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, thanked this year’s spiritual leader, Fr. Robert Lyseyko. The Head of the Church noted that it was the first time that a Protoarchimandrite of the Order of St. Basil the Great became a preacher at the Synod. “As one of our bishops noted, you spoke little but said a lot.”

“The Synod of Bishops is not only a moment of meeting or intensive work, but also a deep prayer experience,” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav, wishing Father Robert the guidance and all the graces of the Holy Spirit to fulfill his difficult and responsible ministry.

Traditionally, the youngest bishops carried the candle and the book of the Holy Gospel. Father Mykhailo Kvyatkovsky, the nominated bishop of the New Westminster Eparchy, carried the candle ahead, while Bishop Volodymyr Firman, the auxiliary bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy, and Bishop Petro Holiney, the auxiliary bishop of the Kolomyia Eparchy, carried the Gospel.

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Eparchy of the Holy Family based in London (UK), shared his impressions of this year’s Synod of Bishops of the UGCC: “Our faithful today are centered in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain. This Synod seems to me to be very successful. We had the opportunity to communicate with Pope Francis and many of his associates in the various dicasteries. We also met with our former Apostolic Nuncio in the UK, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti. I believe these conversations were candid and constructive. We sharedour concerns with His Holiness and he listened to us. I think it was a significant step on his part to heal the wounds that we now feel. I am returning to the UK to our eparchy with great hope and optimism,” said the bishop.

Bishop David Motiuk, Bishop of the Edmonton Eparchy of the UGCC, also emphasized the importance of this year’s Synod of Bishops: “We thank God for the opportunity for all the bishops to meet again. It is especially wonderful that this is happening in Rome. Various topics are deliberated during the Synod. Still, the most important thing is that we had the opportunity to meet with the Holy Father as our father, the father of the Catholic Church. Also, while in Rome with the Synod, we were able to renew our unity, especially with the first apostles, Saints Peter and Paul. The faithful of the Edmonton Eparchy hold deep reverence and pray fervently for the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, as we have a dismissal on their feast day in Mondera, where our Church began its formation. This unity and meeting, the prayers of the Holy Father for our faithful in Ukraine and around the world, are great gifts to all of us.”

On September 14, a press conference will take place at the Ukrainian Pontifical College of St. Josaphat to mark the conclusion of the Synod. The event will feature His Beatitude Sviatoslav and members of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC, commencing at 11:30 AM Roman time.