UGCC priests in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv learn how to provide pastoral support to people with alcohol dependence

From October 4 to 7 members of the UGCC subcommittee For a Sober Life held a series of seminars for UGCC clergy in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv. The main topic of the meetings was about providing pastoral support for people with alcohol addiction through spiritual therapy, as well as learning about ways to promote a sober lifestyle in parish communities. In addition, two workshops for Christian youth in schools of Donetsk and one for the UGCC youth communities in Kyiv were held. During the workshop participants had the opportunity to hear answers to numerous questions that are important to preserve combat alcoholism in the society: What does the church say about alcohol? How can one recognize the line between abuse and dependence on alcohol? How and why people become dependent? Who has a high risk of becoming addicted to alcohol? How can you protect your future married life from alcohol problems? How can you help friends with problems with alcohol? While visiting the above mentioned territories, the subcommittee agreed on a further strategy for organizing activities in eastern Ukraine, in particular through the creation of new centers in the already existing network of advisory and educational centers to help people addicted to alcohol and their families.

Reported by Fr. Andrii Lohin