News from Brussels

Recently on an invitation from the delegate of the Belgian Episcopal Commission “Pro Migrantibus” from the parishes of Eastern Catholic Churches in Belgium priest Oleh Zymak, CSSR, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of France, Benelux, and Switzerland of the UGCC, Reverend Bishop Mikhail (Hrynchyshyn) visited Brussels and Antwerp. The program of visit of the bishop, in particular, included a meeting with the Bishop of Brussels Monsignor Joseph D’Kezel. At the reception an exchange of opinions took place about a series of questions of the general interest, remarks were shared about the progress in the development of the UGCC parishes of Brussels, and the possibilities for its further development were discussed. At the conclusion of the meeting Bishop Mikhail gifted a Ukrainian icon to his Brussels brother in episcopacy.  In addition, during his visit Bishop Mikhail headed the Requiem Mass for the souls of the innocent victims of the Holodomor-genocide in Ukraine, which for the third time was organized by the Brussels’ parish of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Volodymyr of the UGCC jointly with the diplomatic institutions of Ukraine, Ukraine’s representation in the EU, the Embassy of Ukraine in Belgium, and Ukraine’s representation in NATO. The requiem which was led in the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral of the Archbishopric of Malin-Brussels included a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, a speech by the Ambassador of Ukraine in Belgium Y.Eks. E. Bersheda, a solo performance of Mrs. Iryna Khrypko, the performance of organ music, and a prayer service for the deceased. With the bishop concelebrated all the Ukrainian pastors of the UGCC in Belgium, pastors of the parishes of the Eastern Catholic Churches which are in Brussels, and representatives of theArchbishopric of Malin-Brussels. Among the participants were representatives of diplomatic institutions, central organs of authority of Belgium, members of Euro-institutions, Ukrainian believers of parishes of the UGCC of Belgium, and foreign guests. At the end of the visit Bishop Mikhail and priest Oleh Zymak, CSSR, met with the Bishop of Antwerp Monsignor Johan Bonni and his vicar Fr. Rico Ut. At the meeting, in particular, a gratitude to the Latin side was expressed for its openness and help for the UGCC parish of Antwerp. Monsignor Johan Bonni and Fr. Rico Ut expressed their satisfaction with the dynamics of development of the Ukrainian parish in Antwerp, a large role which can be attributed the Ukrainian Redemptorists: the founder of the parish priest Oleh Zymak, CSSR, and first official pastor - priest Ihor Bezkostyj, CSSR. The practical steps for further life and the development of the local Ukrainian parish were discussed.

Secretariat of clergy of Brussels of the UGCC