His Beatitude Sviatoslav met with the British Ambassador to Ukraine
On November 30, the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Ukraine, Mr. Martin Harris. The primary focus of the discussion centered around the pain and suffering of Ukrainians enduring military aggression, as well as the support and solidarity extended by the people of Great Britain.
During the conversation, the British Ambassador was keenly interested in the motivation with which Ukrainians are defending their country today, as well as how an average Ukrainian sees the circumstances of the war and how the Ukrainian people are facing the challenge of war fatigue and pain.
“The conversation was in a lighthearted manner because we all, Europe and Britain in particular, understand that Ukraine not only defends its freedom and independence but also protects the security of European nations with its chest,” said the Head of the Church in a commentary to the Information Department of the UGCC.
During the meeting, the Ambassador emphasized the enormous efficient work and service of the UGCC church structures and organizations, in particular Caritas, to overcome humanitarian challenges in Ukraine. Mr. Martin Harris assured that the British Embassy is committed to supporting the humanitarian projects of the UGCC.
The sides also discussed the growing trauma of war faced by the Ukrainian people, which is related to the war and personal experience of war, and thus the pastoral challenge faced by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
According to the participants of the meeting, Ukraine’s victory today depends not only on the strength and combat capability of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield but also on the ability of the Ukrainian people to cope with the challenges of the trauma of war. It is where the therapeutic role of the Church’s ministry truly becomes a national security issue.
The Primate of the Church thanked the people of Great Britain for their immense support and solidarity, especially for how Britain treats Ukrainian immigrants now residing in the United Kingdom with special compassion and openness.
Moreover, His Beatitude Sviatoslav conveyed words of gratitude to His Majesty King Charles for having visited the Cathedral of the Holy Family in London several times. This gesture showed his solidarity with our people.
Notably, the conversation between His Beatitude Sviatoslav and the British Ambassador to Ukraine took place in Ukrainian. Mr. Martin Harris mastered the Ukrainian language through a special program for foreigners at the Ukrainian Catholic University.
As a souvenir of the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented the guests with a medal issued as part of celebrating the 1125th anniversary of ancient Halych. He also explained the idea of the Kyiv-Halych axis in Ukraine’s history.
The UGCC Department for Information
