“World Youth Day should be the moment of saying no to Russian aggression”: Head of the UGCC
It was stated by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in a traditional video message on the 76th week of Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian aggressor under full-scale military invasion.
The Primate noted that Russian missiles are again targeting our homeland’s cities and villages. Heavy, bloody battles unfold on the front line. Our girls and boys are bravely defending their homeland. Many wounded undergoing medical care in different parts of Ukraine and abroad need our attention.
The Head of the Church noted that the UGCC draws prayerful and pastoral attention to the courageous Ukrainian youth these days. The burden of war first fell on the shoulders of our girls and boys.
According to him, a delegation of Ukrainian youth went to Lisbon for World Youth Day (WYD). Almost 500 Ukrainians will participate in this global youth event of the Catholic Church.
“The Ukrainian youth participating in this WYD will especially experience this moment,” he emphasized and continued, “Ukrainian youth have something to say to their peers, the Catholic Church, and the whole world. Our girls and boys want to talk about the pain and loss that Ukrainians are enduring today and what it means to be a Christian in times of war. However, Ukrainian youth are not only seeking to be listened to but also to be heard. This sharing of pain will be a moment of healing for our girls and boys.”
The Head of the Church urged the world community and members of the Universal Church: Listen to the voice of Ukrainian youth, embrace those girls and boys who carry the wounds of war in their souls and bodies! May World Youth Day be the moment when we say “no” to Russian aggression and when we condemn the killing of innocent civilians in Ukraine when we pray for the abducted children and ask the Lord God for a just peace for Ukraine and the world.The UGCC Department for Information
