An update from the Department of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC responsible for pastoral care of government institutions of Ukraine

Representatives of the Department of Patriarchal Curia of the Ukrainian Greek–Catholic Church responsible for pastoral care of government institutions of Ukraine contributed to the creation of a few important measures for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Department of Defense of Ukraine. Reverend Bishop Mikhail (Koltun), Head of the Department of the Patriarchal Curia of UGCC responsible for pastoral care of government institutions of Ukraine, made a speech to students at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the speech, the Bishop explained the "necessity to realize the value of fellow humans, to share in brotherly love, to see your neighbor as your own brother. These are the most significant moments in our lives. In fact, we can only teach ourselves spiritual guardianship." Father Lubomyr Yavorskyj, advisor to the Department of Patriarchal Curia of UGCC responsible for pastoral care of government institutions of Ukraine, presented to the participants the work of the department as well as future prospects of its activity.  A similar meeting took place on Sunday, the day of the Descending of the Holy Spirit, with military personnel on a territory belonging to the Department of Defense of Ukraine. Father Lubomyr described the feast of Trinities to the soldiers and encouraged them "to pray to the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of patience, and the Spirit of mercy - because it is very necessary for servicemen."  According to Fr. Lubomyr, the purpose of these kinds of meetings is to "reinforce good relations with soldiers and guardians of the law, explain to them their role and mission of chaplaincy that is within their realm of activity as well as open up new possibilities for cooperation in the future." A few days later, a meeting took place in Vinnytsya at a television and radio company that the Patriarchal Department responsible for pastoral care of government institutions uses to publicize events that have participants from both the soldiery and chaplainry. Journalists from Vinnytsya made a movie about the International Military Christian Pilgrimage to the City Lourdes (France) this year, which was presented to the Department. Bishop Mikhail (Koltun) expressed his sincere gratitude for the documentary when he remarked that: “Your work is extremely important in our present society. You bring public awareness to major problems facing Ukraine, especially for the Ukrainian army. I highly appreciate your interest in military chaplaincy and the current problems it is facing. I am sincerely thankful, in particular, for your active participation in making the movie International Military Pilgrimage to the City Lourdes.” After watching the movie, Bishop Mikhail (Koltun) went on air, on the national radio program “Culture,” and told listeners about the role of the chaplain in military life. He explained how the Department responsible for pastoral care of government institutions of Ukraine strives to fulfill the need for religion in the military sphere. The Bishop described the way in which pilgrimages bring to light the role of a military chaplain in military life. Towards the end of the radio program, the Bishop noticed that the numerous phone calls the studio received reflected the fact that military chaplaincy is very relevant and important in our society.

Information Department of the UGCC