“Being an Effective Instrument of God to Heal the Wounds of War”: UGCC Synod of Bishops Discusses Financial Issues

July 20, 2024, 12:10 48

“During this period of the Russian war, we strive not only to support the needy and affected Ukrainians, but to give them hope for a better future for each of us and our country.” This was stated by Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky, Patriarchal Economist of the UGCC and Director of the Patriarchal Foundation “Wise Cause” while reporting to the bishops of the UGCC Synod of Bishops on July 9, 2024.

One of the central themes of each meeting of the UGCC Synod of Bishops is the economic agenda.

Financial Report and Future Prospects

Father Lubomyr Yavorsky, along with Ms. Natalia Parkulab, Head of the Financial Department of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, presented the 2023 financial report for the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC. This report was expertly prepared by specialists and approved after an audit.

Following this, the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC approved the budget for 2025.

Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky

Significant Church-Wide Collections

The Andriyiv Hrish collection is conducted to aid the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in serving the needy promptly and efficiently. “In the context of the great war and the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people in their homeland, the Andriyiv Hrish collection has proven particularly effective, allowing us to provide quick and targeted assistance,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. Thus, the Andriyiv Hrish today is a manifestation of unity and solidarity of Ukrainians with the Head of the UGCC in his service to the victims of the Russian war.

The UGCC Mission Fund supports parish communities in mission areas, including frontline regions that suffer constant shelling. This year, funds were used to support the reconstruction of a church in the Kharkiv region, damaged by Russian shelling.

“We strive to stand side by side in our service, moving together towards our state-building transformation and resurrection. Despite all obstacles and the enemy’s attempts to destroy us, we aim to be an effective instrument of God to heal the war wounds of both our Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and our state,” summarized Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky.

Ms. Natalia Parkulab

Strategic and Transformation Projects of Wise Cause

In the second part of the report, Fr. Lubomyr, speaking as Director of the Patriarchal Foundation, introduced the activities of Wise Cause over the past year. He noted that the foundation is undergoing several changes due to the challenges of the war and its own development. This includes transitioning to projects of strategic and transformational significance. “We are focusing on educational projects for the comprehensive restoration of communities—’Healing Communities’ and ‘Action in Hope’. This also involves the revitalization of our UGCC Consultation Center for parish communities aiming to develop social services and entrepreneurship. Additionally, we are establishing Wound Healing Centers and launching a network of individual parish centers within the Psychological Counseling Center, which offers both individual and group services to improve the mental health of Ukrainians,” said Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky.

For instance, the “Healing Hromadas” educational and awareness project was created to help Ukrainian communities recover during and after the war, thereby becoming stronger. It is based on the ideas of the Righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who believed that education and enlightenment are the keys to a better and more fulfilling life.

The project includes educational activities, psychological rehabilitation, and the spiritual recovery of each participant. To achieve this, participants engage in lectures by professional teachers, strategic sessions, discussions, spiritual conversations, visits to Lviv’s historical monuments, and self-discovery over a 5-day program.

Ten communities from frontline areas were preselected to participate in the training modules and psychological and spiritual rehabilitation sessions at the Patriarchal House in Lviv. In total, more than 300 people participated, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, government and local officials, civic activists, and opinion leaders.