“Helping to recognize personal freedom and responsibility,” Father Myron Bendyk on the mission of the priest in Ukrainian society
Father Myron Bendyk, rector of the Drohobych Theological Seminary and a priest of the UGCC from the time of the underground, shared his thoughts on the peculiarities of the role of the Church and the priest in contemporary Ukrainian society.
“Regardless of the times, the task of the priest remains consistent — to help each person realize his personal freedom and, as a result, responsibility for the decisions he makes. This is his main task,” said Fr. Myron in a commentary to the Information Department of the UGCC.
The rector cited the example of the times of the underground, when the role of the priest was especially vital: “Back then, people had to recognize through their own conscience who they were and what faith they belonged to. The priest, in addition to spiritual support, had to encourage them to have the courage to act according to their own conscience.” Father Myron emphasized that both then and today one of the main values of Ukrainians is freedom. “This is what makes us human. And the role and mission of the priest is to ensure that the people act freely and in favor of freedom.”
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According to Fr. Myron, the mission of the clergy remains intact. Given the fact that we live in difficult times of war, priests are extremely needed by society — both on the front line, as a military chaplain, and in the rear.
“Certainly, the clergy on the home front are a critical link in society,” he explained. “It is through their work that the Ukrainian people realize their freedom and make responsible choices.”
The rector assured that if the Church did not exist, it would be much harder for people to act freely: “This is the role of the Church and the priest who personifies it.”
The UGCC Department for Information
