UGCC Head: We Have a Unique Opportunity to Be the True Voice of Our People on International Platforms in the 136th Week of the War
Today, the entire Ukrainian community, both in Ukraine and abroad, together with our friends, is doing everything possible to ensure that the day we finally expel the Russian occupiers from our land comes soon. This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, marking the 136th week of the great sacrilegious war, a terrible disaster for Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
Russia launches an air strike on a geriatric boarding house in Sumy, photo by SESU in the Sumy region
The Primate spoke with deep sorrow about the week’s many atrocities, murders, and crimes committed by Russia on Ukrainian soil. The nation was outraged by the footage showing the abuse and murder of defenseless Ukrainian soldiers by Russian military groups, while all of Ukraine continues to suffer from daily air strikes.
“This week, the Russians bombed the city of Sumy with exceptional brutality. A guided aerial bomb struck a nursing home for the elderly. There were fatalities and injuries among the elderly. Every day, the enemy ruthlessly bombards Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region,” said the Head of the Church.
On behalf of all Ukrainians, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the Ukrainian Air Force, which, he noted, “has proven to be one of the best air defense forces in the world.”
“Let the whole world hear that Ukraine is tired but resilient, wounded but strong in spirit. Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays!” emphasized the Patriarch.
The Head of the UGCC mentioned his pastoral visit to Tallinn. “In discussions with leaders of the Estonian state, the Speaker of Parliament, the Council of Churches of Estonia, and the leaders of the Catholic Church here, we have a unique opportunity to be the true voice of our people on various international platforms, representing our Church globally,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church hosted various international representative events and meetings, including the XXV Congress of Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe in Oradea, Romania.
“The bishops from Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the Balkan countries, Austria, Germany, and others shared how the Catholic Church and our communities in these countries have opened their hearts and homes to Ukrainians displaced by the war. They are working actively to spread the truth about Ukraine amid the disinformation propagated by Russia around the world,” said the Primate.
Later, the youngest bishops of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC met with Pope Francis and leaders of the Roman Curia in Rome. The Head of the UGCC expressed gratitude to representatives of the Holy See for doing everything possible to secure the release of Ukrainian prisoners from Russian captivity.
“Today, the entire Ukrainian community, both in Ukraine and in the diaspora, along with our friends, is doing everything in its power to ensure that the day when we can finally drive the Russian occupiers from our land arrives as soon as possible,” emphasized the spiritual leader of Ukrainians.
The UGCC Department for Information
