“Your Struggle Is a Struggle for the Freedom of Europeans” — President of the French Bishops’ Conference to the Head of the UGCC
On October 28, His Beatitude Sviatoslav met with the staff of the French Bishops’ Conference. The Head of the UGCC was welcomed by Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the French Bishops’ Conference.
In his speech, Archbishop Moulins-Beaufort recalled the delegation of French bishops’ visit to Kyiv and the recently liberated territories. “We remember the traces of shells and bullets on buildings, cars, and countless other structures, the harrowing stories of abuse endured by men defending their country, and the sight of numerous graves in the cemetery—so many young lives lost.”
The President of the French Bishops’ Conference emphasized that “Ukraine’s independence, not only from the Soviet project but also from Russia, is of significance to all humanity. We are here today to affirm decisively that your country’s struggle is a struggle for the freedom of us Europeans.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to Archbishop Moulins-Beaufort for the invitation, referring to his visit to France as a “visit of gratitude.” The Head of the UGCC recalled the Archbishop’s visit to Ukraine at the beginning of the war, noting that he “personally witnessed the fresh wounds of the Ukrainian people and was one of the first Church leaders to face those wounds.”
In an address to the staff of the French Bishops’ Conference, His Beatitude extended his thanks for their solidarity with Ukraine and for “the Catholic Church in France being a voice of truth about the war in Ukraine, helping to welcome our refugees and supporting their proper integration into your society.”
On the occasion of the UGCC Head’s visit to Paris, an exhibition illustrating the history of the UGCC was presented in the atrium of the Bishops’ Conference office. “Everyone who comes here will learn about the steadfastness of your Church, which you have preserved for centuries. It strengthens the hope that your people will find their rightful place among other European nations, that your people can serve as an example of state-building rooted in justice, truth, peace, and mercy,” said Archbishop Moulins-Beaufort.
At the end of the first day of his official visit to France, the Head of the UGCC also met with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.
Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome
