The Head of the UGCC participated in the funeral of Cardinal Achille Sylvestrini

The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, and the last farewell ceremony was performed by Holy Father Francis. In the sermon, Cardinal Re recalled the great diplomatic experience of the deceased, in particular in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Apostolic See and the Soviet Union. "A man of dialogue and effective service to the Church, the Holy Father, and the Roman Curia. His ministry is a major contributor to peace, human rights and other important issues for humanity at the international level." "The diplomatic career," the preacher noted, "did not prevent Cardinal Sylvestrini from being a bright pastor, especially in serving the youth."

 "I am grateful to remember his work in the Apostolic Capital for many decades serving for seven Popes: first at the State Secretariat, and later as the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and finally as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches."

Together with His Beatitude Sviatoslav from the UGCC, the following bishops took part in the liturgy: Volodymyr Kovbych, Metropolitan of Curitiba (Brazil); Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of Philadelphia (USA); Bohdan Dziurakh, Secretary of the Synod of the UGCC; Ken Nowakowski, Eparch of New Westminster (Canada); Brian Baida, Diocese of Saskatoon (Canada).

Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome