UGCC Head Meets with French Foreign Minister to Discuss Humanitarian Aid and Diplomatic Efforts for Ukraine
On October 31, 2024, in Paris, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. During their nearly hour-long meeting, they discussed key aspects of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, the role of the Church in society, and prospects for achieving a just peace.
Minister Barrot inquired about the activities of the UGCC and its role in Ukrainian society. His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that “our Church is an integral part of Ukraine’s civil society,” adding that the Church’s voice is “the voice of the ordinary Ukrainian people.”
The two leaders discussed the importance of diplomacy in ending the war. “Today, Ukrainian society understands that the war cannot be ended solely through military means,” said the Head of the UGCC, calling diplomatic efforts “invaluable.” He noted that France is a key partner for Ukraine, supporting the development and implementation of the victory plan proposed by the President of Ukraine.
The French minister expressed interest in church diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of the UGCC’s international connections as a global Church. They discussed the Vatican’s role in efforts to locate and rescue Ukrainian children, in connection with Cardinal Zuppi’s mission.
On humanitarian issues, Minister Barrot expressed admiration for the heroism of the Ukrainian military, whom he had recently met in Ukraine, and spoke about France’s funding for projects supporting Ukrainian children, including rehabilitation centers for children returned from Russia and bomb shelters for schools.
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In response to the minister’s question, “How do you think you will cope with the next three months?” His Beatitude Sviatoslav stressed that the coming winter could be one of the most challenging in terms of energy security and ensuring access to heat and food. “According to UN forecasts, millions of Ukrainians may be left without food, so the Church is preparing a social service network to help them,” he said.
The Head of the UGCC elaborated on the Church’s humanitarian ministry, including the Wise Cause Foundation and initiatives for refugees. “We are establishing resilience centers across Ukraine where people can receive physical, psychological, and spiritual care,” he said, emphasizing that these centers are “open to everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.”
Minister Barrot raised the issue of corruption and the need for judicial reform in Ukraine as part of the European integration process. He highlighted the Church’s potential role in creating an environment free of corruption and thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for his stance on this issue. “Ukrainian society has ‘antibodies against corruption,’ and it is the Church that nurtures them,” he added.
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The Head of the UGCC noted that the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches has repeatedly advocated for judicial reform and has voiced principles supported by the Churches.
Rt. Rev. Hlib Lonchyna, who also attended the meeting, spoke about the Eparchy of Saint Volodymyr-Le-Grand de Paris of the UGCC in France and the Benelux countries, as well as the future development of church structures to provide pastoral care for Ukrainian emigrants.
At the close of the meeting, the Head of the UGCC presented the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France with the Letter on War and Just Peace in the Context of New Ideologies, expressing gratitude for French diplomatic support of Ukraine.
The UGCC Department for Information
