A Delegation of the UGCC in France Participated in a Solemn Mass Marking the Anniversary of Its Longstanding Partner, L’Œuvre d’Orient
On May 10, at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a delegation of bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, together with Ihor Rantsya, ruling bishop of the Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great, took part in a solemn Mass marking the 170th anniversary of the charitable organization L’Œuvre d’Orient.
This was reported by the press office of the Paris Eparchy.
The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, in the presence of Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris and Monsignor Hugues de Woillemont, Director General of L’Œuvre d’Orient.
Up to 150 representatives of the Eastern Catholic Churches attended the celebration. The Ukrainian delegation included Exarch of Odessa Mykhailo Bubniy, Exarch of Lutsk Josaphat Hovera, Eparch of Buchach Dmytro Hryhorak, and Auxiliary Bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy Volodymyr Firman.
During his homily, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti highlighted the role of the laity in the founding of L’Œuvre d’Orient, noting that it was their initiative 170 years ago that became an example of the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the history of the Church.
The preacher emphasized that support for the Eastern Churches should not be reduced to mere “emergency charity” aimed at easing the donor’s conscience. Instead, he highlighted two fundamental principles of service: support for education as a path to freedom and resistance to the “spirit of the world,” guided exclusively by materialistic criteria.
“Investing in education and formation gives people the opportunity to become protagonists of their own liberation rather than merely recipients of aid,” the cardinal noted.
Recalling the challenges facing Ukraine and the countries of the Middle East, he cautioned against politics devoid of spiritual guidance, emphasizing that “God’s grace cannot be bought” and that true change in the world is possible only through selfless love and fidelity to Christian values.
During the service, the choir of the Ukrainian All Saints Parish in Vincennes performed. The participation of the UGCC bishops and faithful was an expression of gratitude to French society and Church institutions for their solidarity with Ukraine amid the full-scale war.
The day before, the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church conveyed a message of gratitude from His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the leadership of L’Œuvre d’Orient. The message specifically mentioned support for humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine, assistance to liberated territories, and the development of theological education.
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The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Meets with Leaders of the French Charitable Organization “L’Œuvre d’Orient”
Separately, during the meeting, the Paris Eparchy’s initiative to establish the “Healing the Wounds of War” center in Lourdes was presented. The project envisions spiritual and psychological rehabilitation for veterans, families of the fallen, prisoners of war, and children affected by Russian aggression. This initiative is being implemented in cooperation with L’Œuvre d’Orient.
Cooperation between the charitable organization and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has continued since 1920, and following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, its support for Ukraine has increased significantly. Last year alone, projects totaling more than 1.7 million euros were implemented through the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Photo credit: Antoine Müller and the Paris Eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic ChurchThe UGCC Department for Information
