Pope Leo XIV addresses members of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (@VATICAN MEDIA)
Pope to Ukrainian Bishops: Let us remain united in faith,
hope
In an Audience with members of the Holy Synod of the
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV recalls the duty of Bishops “to
serve Christ in every wounded and suffering person who turns to your
communities for concrete help”, and prays that peace may return to Ukraine “as
soon as possible”.
By Christopher Wells
Pope Leo on Monday greeted members of the Holy Synod of
Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), which is taking place
this week in Rome.
United with the "Father and Head of the UGCC" -
currently Major Archbishop Sviatoslav - the Holy Synod, comprised of all the
bishops of the UGCC, is the highest authority in the sui iuris Ukrainian
Church.
Pope Leo greets Major
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic
Church (@Vatican Media)
Witness of faith and hope 'a sign of God's strength'
In remarks to the gathered bishops, Pope Leo noted that this
year’s Synod takes place in the context of the Jubilee Year, “which invites all
the People of God to renew themselves in hope.”
Yet, although “hope does not disappoint because it is
founded on the love of God in Christ Jesus”, it is difficult to speak of hope
in the midst of the war that engulfs Ukraine. “It is not easy to find words of
consolation for families who have lost loved ones in this senseless war,” the
Pope said, especially for the Bishops “who are in daily contact with people
wounded in heart and flesh.”
Nonetheless, Pope Leo continued, the many testimonies of
faith and hope are “a sign of God’s strength manifesting itself amid the rubble
of destruction.”
Pope Leo with Bishops
of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (@VATICAN MEDIA)
United in one faith and one hope
Recognising the many ecclesial and humanitarian needs facing
the Bishops, the Holy Fahter recalled their duty “to serve Christ in every
wounded and suffering person who turns to your communities for concrete help.”
And he assured them of his closeness to all the Ukrainian
Greek Catholic faithful, calling them to remain united “in the one faith and in
the one hope”, and emphasising the “great mystery” of communion that unites us
even with those “whose lives were torn from this world but welcomed by God.” In
Him, the Pope insisted, “everything lives and finds its full meaning.”
Pope Leo concluded his remarks with a prayer that, through
the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, “peace may return” to Ukraine “as
soon as possible.”
Pope Leo XIV and the Bishops of the Holy
Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (@Vatican Media)
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